Kenneth Richard "Dick" Hazen

Kenneth Richard (Dick) Hazen, 70, passed away on 11/1/2017 while surrounded by family and friends.  He was born in Nampa, ID on February 5, 1947 to Kenneth and Evelyn Hazen.  Richard attended Lincoln Elementary, West Junior High, and graduated from Nampa High School in 1965.  While at Nampa High School he was on the track team, where he held several track records.  In December of 1966 Richard married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Elizabeth Edmiston.  They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in December of last year. 

Richard received his B.A. in Biology and Chemistry from the College of Idaho in 1969 and then attended Graduate School at the University of Nevada, Reno from 1970 to 1972.  During this time is when he discovered his interest in education, which would lead him and Beth on their adventures to Australia and Alaska.  He taught High School in Victoria, Australia from 1972 to 1974.  In 1975 Richard and Beth moved to Bethel, Alaska where he was a teacher and administrator for the Lower Kuskokwim School District.  While in Bethel, they also started their family.

In 1979, the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska.  Richard and his business partner started Educational Management Associates (EMA), providing various support services to schools in Alaska.  Their company was instrumental in placing computers and software into school districts throughout Alaska, Idaho, and various other states.  Throughout his career, Richard served on various state educational advisory committees.  He retired from EMA in 2013.  He was currently serving on the College of Idaho Board of Trustees. 

Richard and Beth enjoyed traveling, both around the US and oversees.  For the last 20 years they have split their time between Anchorage (in the Summer) and Tucson, AZ (in the Winter).  Richard was an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing “year-round” with old friends and new ones. 

Enjoying the great outdoors was a passion of Richard’s, right to the very end.  He enjoyed gardening, camping, hunting, fishing, and hiking with his family and friends.  In the later years, he enjoyed spending weekends at their lakeside cabin with his wife, children, and grandchildren.  He took great pride in his family, and his pride in his garden came second only to them.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth L. Hazen and his mother Evelyn Bertschinger Hazen.

Richard is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Edmiston) Hazen and three children:  daughter Elena Ann Hazen Reierson and husband Dale Reierson; son Quinten Richard Hazen; son Kenneth Gregory Hazen.  He also leaves three grandchildren:  Tyler W. Reierson; Richard M. Hazen; Elyssa A. Reierson

He is also survived by:  sister Roberta (Ron) McFadden, of Boise; sister Judy (Alan) Christopherson, of Star; sister Suzanne (Dan) Swindell, of Nampa; uncle Leslie Hazen, of Boise, aunt Lois (Ken) Morgan, of Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and sisters-in-law. 

A memorial service will be held at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel on Saturday November 11, 2017 at 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Nampa Elks Lodge.  A celebration will also be held in Anchorage at O’Malley’s on the Green on Saturday November 18 from 1 to 4 p.m.   In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to support S.T.E.M. education:  www.stem.idaho.gov or Dimond Robotics (PO Box 110769, Anchorage AK 99511).  An additional celebration will be held in Tucson, AZ at a later date. 

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