Alvin Joseph Lagger

LAGGER, DR.ALVIN JOSEPH
84, Alvin Joseph Lagger, took his final flight home to Jesus on June 14, 2008. He died peacefully with his family by his side. He was the son of Alvin Joseph Lagger, Sr. & Florence. Dr. Lagger had an extensive & accomplished aviation career beginning at Macomber Vocational High School, Toledo, Ohio, graduating in 1942. After completing the U.S. Naval Air Technical Training Center as an Aviation Machinist's Mate, First Class, his active service was from 1942 to 1946 in the South Pacific.

He married Patricia Ann Moore in 1949. Together they had four children, Linda, Dianne, David & Evelyn. Alvin moved from Toledo, Ohio, in 1961 to Denver, Colorado, to pursue a career with Frontier Airlines located at Stapleton International Airport as an Aviation Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic.

In 1969 he completed a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary & Adult Education at Colorado State University. He completed his Master's Degree in Trades and Industrial Education in 1970. In 1975 he graduated from the University of Colorado with a Doctorate in Education, specializing in Content, Professional Aeronautics. Post-Doctoral research was completed in 1982. In June of 1977, he completed mining industry-related courses at the Colorado School of Mines. In October of 1977, he completed the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) Aircraft Accident Investigation course. In addition, he completed many safety aviation accident-related courses through the University of Southern California from 1984 through 1989. Over a span of three years, Dr. Lagger completed courses at the Academy for Metal and Materials, Cleveland, Ohio from 1986 through 1988. Dr. Lagger was nominated for the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame award in 2004.

Dr. Alvin Lagger began his vocational teaching career with Denver Public Schools, at Emily Griffith Opportunity School/Aircraft Training Facility teaching the F.A.A. Certified Airframe & Powerplant Maintenance Technician program from 1962 until he retired in 1992. While employed there, he wrote the curriculum for General and Powerplant Maintenance courses and also the Inspections Procedures Manual. Al continued to teach part time until 2007.

During the summer months of 1980 to 2000, in addition to teaching, Alvin also worked for the National Transportation Safety Board traveling extensively around the world including Canada, Alaska, New Zealand, and New Guinea investigating aviation accidents.

Dr. Alvin Lagger was a truly remarkable person, a profoundly knowledgeable yet modest public school teacher who has dedicated his long life to learning and to teaching generations of Colorado's young people about his true love and passion...Aviation.

Al's zest for life, especially his devotion and love for his family and dedication of aviation will be an inspiration to us all. He is survived by his brother Donald, his sister Mary, four children, eleven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and a new baby to be born in September.

The service for Dr. Alvin Joseph Lagger will be held at Calvary Chapel South, located at 9052 W. Ken Caryl Ave., Littleton on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 4:00 PM., 303-933-8733.