Craig W. Pagel, age 67, of East Helena, passed away June 13, 2019. Craig was born April 13, 1952 in Dickinson, ND to Ralph G. and Jean M. (Ott) Pagel.
Craig went to serve his country with the United States Marine Corp., serving active duty in Vietnam before being honorably discharged in 1976. He graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering acquiring his professional Engineer License and Stamp.
Craig worked as a Mining Engineer in both the United State and Canada. He worked as a Water Quality Engineer for the State of Montana for 12 years, retiring in 2006. Craig subsequently worked for the State of Montana writing Mining Claim Development Reclamation Bonds. In his final years he worked independently designing and building city water systems.
Craig was raised in the Catholic Faith. He joined the Lambda Chi Fraternity during his freshman year at the University of Idaho, at the age of 17, making him the youngest member. He was also a member of the Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
Craig is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Jean Pagel; his brother, Ronald Pagel; his sister, Deborah Bell; both fraternal and maternal grandparents; and his significant partner, Nelda Sayer. He is survived by his sister, Patricia (Bill) Fletcher of Coeur d’Alene, Id; brother, David Pagel (Jessica Kannegaard) of Osburn, Id; sister, Karen (Raymond) Daigh of Bonny Lake, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Craig also leaves behind his beloved dog, Skittles.
Burial with Military Honors is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2019 at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison, MT. A Reception will follow the service at the Service Club on Base at Ft. Harrison. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Disabled Veterans of American. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Craig.
Vickie Field says
I’m so very sorry. We are here for you Dave and Jessica. If we can do anything please let us know. I can take care of your house and yard if needed.
Our sincere condolences.
Vickie and Dolores Field
George Domijan says
Dave, I knew this day was coming, but I bet Craig faced it with courage and his unique sense of realistic humor. I will miss the man and think of our times together often. Our sympathy,
George
Joanne (Welsh) Nelson says
Dave and Jessica, so very sorry for your loss. My sympathies to your family.
Joanne
Joe and Deb Cantrell Philp says
So very sorry Dave and Jessica. We are thinking of you. Love and hugs.
Jason Crawford says
Rest in peace Craig. You were truly one of a kind and will be missed dearly.
Tom Hughes says
Craig will rest in peace and is free of his ailments. He was a good friend and hunting partner over many years. Craig and I worked on engineering/hydrology projects together during our careers with the State on Montana. He was a good engineer. My wife Nancy and I will miss him.
Buddy and Linda Miles says
Dave and Jesse,
Sorry to hear about Craig. He was a great guy to live in Moscow with. Craig was one of the smartest guys I have known. We send our condolences and will pray for your healing while we are currently in Jerusalem.
John Camden says
God Bless you Craig Pagel and may you rest in peace! Craig and I worked together for MT DEQ. Later Craig went to work for MT Rural Water Systems and assisted many water operators throughout MT with his chemistry knowledge . We shared many sport stories about Cut Bank & Choteau. Craig will be missed by his friends!
Sandi & John Camden – Gt. Falls Mt
Marie Voltolini Kleffner says
My condolences to the entire Pagel family. God bless and keep you all during this difficult time.
Suzzanne Carlson Penney says
Thank you Craig for the shared conversations that so epitomized your willingness to share a moment, to share an idea, a perspective, lend a hand, an ear, a voice, to give service to your country, and service to the environment—now and for future generations©m—through your knowledge and expertise and applications in water resource management and development, a monumental legacy. And especially thank you for your readily available sense of humor and wit shared with a sometimes frustrated underclassman. My. Condolences to the family,. He will be missed.
Rusty and Debi Price says
Condolences to the whole Pagel family, Dave Pat, and Karen.
You have lost another pillar of your family.
I grieved with you when you lost Deb, Ma, and Fritz .
This loss hurts, but it an end to Craig’s pain, we will see him again.
Thank you all for making me feel like one of your clan. My heart goes out to you all.
Constance Cole says
I worked with Craig years ago in the major mining projects section of the Department of State Lands. We were a lively group of professionals who argued and laughed together as we examined operating permit applications. Craig was an important member of our little group, and an opinionated one at that! We were all young, but committed to our jobs and to doing the best job we could within an imperfect legal system. I’m sorry for his family’s loss.
Eric Regensburger says
I worked with Craig for several years at DEQ. We still kept in touch after he left DEQ mainly for him to call me every year before March Madness so we could bet on whether Syracuse (my school) would win the championship. I of course lost every year, I still have the $5 that I owed from our last bet in my desk drawer at work waiting for him to show up and claim it. Will miss Craig stopping by to chat every so often.
Tim Rauser says
I met craig working for the city of Townsend. He was a special friend and I called on him many times and he was always there to help. I will miss you buddy and I guess I will have eat those pheasents my self. Thanks for your service and the good times we had. For Craigs family i’m sorry for your loss
Rory Schmidt says
My condolences to Craig’s family he definitely will be missed! To this day several systems water operators still asked how he was doing and how was his health. He helped all systems across the state of Montana with their waivers on their water testing requirements and he will be missed by all! Craig was definitely an asset for all water utilities here in Montana and will be missed for his knowledge and expertise!
John Tavary says
My Brother Jim would tell me the crazy times he and Craig used to have in Cut Bank. I am not sure which one was the ring leader here, but both lived an exciting life exploring the rocks and river near Cut Bank. Pranksters is a nice term to express their exploits back then ad I am not sure how true the stories are ,but they made for great conversation. Thanks for the memories Craig.
Evelyn “Lynn” Jouan says
Pat, and the whole Pagel family, we offer our condolences to your family. I hadn’t seen Craig since he was a young boy when we were all in Cut Bank but saddened to hear of your loss. It is hard to lose family members and he will be missed.
Kristi Gnaedinger says
Good-bye old friend. I will miss your late night phone calls sharing life stories. You always had the best stories. Will always remember the Emerson Lake and Palmer concert when you led us out of the pit. Party on.
Tami Quinn says
I met Craig when he was a circuit rider for MRWS. It always was a pleasure learning from him. He helped many water systems particularly with his hand written “schedules”. God Bless you Craig. A one of a kind gentleman! Tami Quinn
Lea Anne Lund says
Craig was quite the story teller! He enjoyed sharing (and I loved listening), to all his amazing stories throughout his life. He was a wonderful person, who lived his life well, and will remain forever near. It brings comfort to know that he is at peace.
Spook says
Safe travels on your new journey my old friend. You will always
be with us in our memories. Craig and I were brothers at the fraternity. Will Never forget the time we let all the sparrows loose on the sleeping porch at the frat house. It took them days to get the out. My condolences to all the family.
Lea Anne Lund says
You have lived a life so well! Our thoughts and prayers go out to family, friends, and loved ones. It brings us comfort to know, you are now at peace with Mom. You will always be remembered…Lea Anne, Todd and Taylon.
Rod Foster says
Red Devil Creosote Destroyer, Wild Turkey ,BeamHole,
Gophers on the run with his 357! He seldom missed!
Did we party or what?
My condolences.