Herbert H. Hagens, 99

July 1, 1922 – November 26, 2021

Created Princeton's Hagens Recording Studio

Herbert H. Hagens

Herbert H. Hagens, 99, of Princeton, crossed the Threshold on Friday, November 26 at Stonebridge at Montgomery.

Herbert was born in Princeton on July 1, 1922 and was a lifelong resident. His father, Henry Hagens, was an early practitioner of biodynamic farming and gardening. His mother, Emmy Hagens, was a Waldorf teacher. Herbert attended the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City and graduated from the Hun School in Princeton. He was a member of the Class of 1945 at Princeton University.

After serving as a U.S. Navy officer in World War II, he married Velva A. Hagens (nee Helms) in East Randolph, New York. In 1950 they moved back to the family home on Lower Harrison Street in Princeton where they raised two sons. With his background in electrical engineering and acoustics, Herbert established Hagens Recording Studio, Inc. in 1952. The business began with music recording, record cutting, and sound and film mixing. It expanded to full scale video postproduction and incorporated the advances in digital technology. His two sons continue to operate the company.

Herbert was a member of the Anthroposophical Society in America and hosted the activities of the Princeton Group for many years. He took a special interest in supporting the Waldorf School of Princeton in Montgomery Township and produced a series of videos about Rudolf Steiner’s approach to education and the art of eurythmy.

Herbert was predeceased by his wife, Velva Hagens (October 7, 1997). He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Herbert O. and Adelaide B. Hagens of Kingston; his son Peter R. Hagens of Princeton; and a cousin Inge Karl of Berlin, Germany.

Burial was in East Randolph, NY.