Robert Thomas 'Tommy' Sagen, 57

Robert Thomas “Tommy” Sagen, 57, a longtime Whitefish resident, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

He was born on Sept. 28, 1953, in Whitefish to Robert I. and Bonnie Sagen. He attended Whitefish schools, graduating in 1972.

He retired after 30 years of service with the railroad as an engineer. He spent his life as an avid hunter and fisherman. One of his great thrills in life was teaching his children, nieces and nephews those skills. He had a great time doing it. One of his biggest accomplishments was seeing his family and friends tag their first buck or catch their first fish.

We could always count on Tom to bring his guitar, and he would entertain at any occasion. He resided and raised his family at Skyles Lake, where that became home to the entire family. He will be missed for his great sense of humor, loving heart and his unselfish ways. He is loved and missed by many; he had a “live forever” attitude and was one of a kind.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father, Robert I. Sagen; and his brother, Bennie Jo Sagen.

He is survived by his mother, Bonnie Schlegel Winters, of Whitefish; three adult children, Chrissy Sagen and husband Matt of Florida, Janice Sagen of Hamilton, and Claire Sagen of Kalispell; his two sisters, Cathy (Sagen) and husband Chris Finberg of Columbia Falls, and Connie (Sagen) and husband Mark Warner of Fort Collins, Colo.; five grandchildren; longtime friend and brother, Dan “Magoo” McGarry, of Las Vegas; and his friend, Laura Newman, and her son, Michael, of Whitefish.

The family invites you to join them in remembering Tommy’s life. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish. A reception will follow at the VFW in Whitefish.

Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.