Durango resident Abner Decker Hahn, Jr. peacefully passed away on Sunday, Jan. 20, at the age of 89.
He was born to Abner Decker and Daisy Hahn on Jan. 18, 1924, in Muscatine, Iowa.
He served in the Army during World War II. After the war, he moved to Crested Butte, Colo., where he met and married Annabelle Ruggera.
After graduating from Western State College with a teaching degree, he moved to Pagosa Springs to become a teacher. He later became the principal of Pagosa Springs High School, followed by superintendent for the school district.
He moved to Durango in 1960 to teach at Miller Junior High, later becoming the principal of that school. He moved on to Durango High School to be the principal there.
He eventually returned to Pagosa Springs to become the superintendent of schools there, until his retirement in 1980.
During his retirement, he enjoyed living at Vallecito Lake in a cabin he and his children built. He would winter in Mexico for a time, before finding his permanent second home in Sun City, Ariz., with his wife, Ann.
He took up the hobby of carving faces from pine knots, “Knotheads,” that he would sell at numerous crafts fairs in the area. He also took up the art of making silver jewelry and wooden bowls in his free time.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann Hahn, of Durango and Sun City, Ariz., his daughter, Sandi and husband Donnie, of Durango, son, Abner Decker Hahn III and wife Aileen, of Durango, son, Robert and wife Laurie, of Durango, grandson Brian, of Durango.
A private service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy.
