Ralph Hallas Jaeger

Ralph (Hal) Jaeger, 92, died January 8 at Manor Care Health Services in Hemet, Calif. He was born March 7, 1911 in Waterbury, the son of Florence Hallas Jaeger (Beach) and Walter S. Jaeger.

Although he spent the last 25 years in Hemet, Calif., he spent his first 68 years in the Waterbury and Newtown areas and he still has a number of old friends living there.

Mr Jaeger received his early education at Russell School and Crosby High School in Waterbury. In June 1933, he graduated from Williams College in Williamstown, Mass.

During World War II, he worked on development and testing of the Norden bombsight at the old US Time plant in Middlebury. Following the war, his business career was with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, as an agent in Waterbury and as branch manager in Ansonia.

While living for 20 years in Roxbury, Mr Jaeger was town assessor, usher and deacon of the Congregational Church, and active in Little League Baseball. In 1968, he retired from Metropolitan, and he and his wife Polly took up the camping life. They explored all 48 of the contiguous United States, as well as Canada and northern Mexico.

The Jaegers then later settled down for several years in Watertown. Mr Jaeger took up a business relationship with the Connecticut Unemployment Office in Danbury. In 1978, following a bitter New England winter, the Jaegers looked for a warmer climate for permanent retirement. They found Hemet, where they have lived for 25 years, enjoying the friendships and activities at Colonial Country Club.

He is survived by Polly, his wife of 67 years, three sons: John Of Plano, Texas; Allen of El Dorado, Calif.; and Ralph Jr., of Watertown. His niece, Judith Tritz of Richland, Wash., has been like a daughter to both him and Polly. His brother, Walter George Jaeger lives in Newton, N.C. He has two grandchildren living in Oakland, Calif., and two step-grandchildren, also living in the San Francisco Bay area.

There will be no services at this time. A gathering in celebration of Mr Jaeger’s life will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be private. Miller Jones Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to the Colonial Country Club Social Club in care of Don Hatz, Treasurer, 601 North Kirby Space 535, Hemet, CA 92545, or to Ramova VNA & Hospice, 890 West Stetson Avenue, Suite A, Hemet, CA 92543.

The Newtown Bee        January 16, 2004