Matamoras Rod & Gun Club
In Memoriam
David Hazen
Colonel David William Hazen, 74, of Matamoras, died Monday, December 29, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. David was born on September 9, 1940, son of Bill and Ruth Hazen of Matamoras.
David graduated from Delaware Valley High School in 1958 and St. Bonaventure University in 1962, with a B.S. in Mathematics. After graduating from St. Bonaventure he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, Field Artillery, and married his high school sweetheart, Bernice Gilpin of Milford.
David went on to have a long, distinguished military career. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, in addition to numerous assignments in Fort Sill, Fort Hood, Fort Campbell, Fort Leavenworth, and Germany. He commanded a Field Artillery battalion on the DMZ in Korea and then went on to teach American History at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Dave later worked at the Pentagon, and his final assignment was Chair of National Security and Strategy at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, PA.
His additional civilian and military education includes a Master of Military Arts and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Master of Arts in History from the University of North Carolina, and a Post Masters Advanced Management program at Harvard University.
David's military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2nd award), Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze star), and Vietnam Service Medal (with 1 silver and bronze star).
Following his retirement he was elected to the Matamoras Borough Council and served as Council President. Dave also worked as the Transition Coordinator and Deputy Warden at the Pike County Correctional Facility.
David was a proud member of the Mamakating Hunting Club since 1976. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Matamoras Rod & Gun club and the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.
He is survived by Bernice, his wife of 52 years; his sister, Nancy Galanis and her husband, Joseph of Fort Myers, FL; four really cool children, Bill of Lovettsville, VA and his wife, Julie, Mike from Anchorage, Alaska and his wife, Tasha, Dianne from Cranberry Twp., PA, and Carol from Huntington, WV and her husband, Daryl; and his seven grandchildren, Abigayle, Dave, Jessica, Bryce, Megan, Emma Grace and Carly Ann.
Viewings will be held at Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 W. Hartford St., Milford, on Friday, January 2nd, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 3rd, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 111 E. High St., Milford.
The family asks that in Lieu of flowers donations be given to the Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center, P O Box 333, Matamoras PA 18336.