George J. Hager, Ph.D. of Richland, Washington, passed into the arms of our loving Lord at his home on January 27, 2026.

Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on December 14, 1966, George lived a life defined by curiosity, laughter, service, and a deep love for family and friends. He was known for his laid-back spirit and sharp wit. George liked to test a theory—and occasionally a person—just to see what would happen. He brought a volume level all his own, stubborn resilience, and an uncanny ability to argue both sides of a conversation—sometimes just for sport. Whether in spirited debate or everyday discussion, he kept those around him thinking, laughing, and occasionally shaking their heads.

George is survived by his loving mother, Ilene Victoria Bartlett, and stepfather, James C. Bartlett; his wife, Sara; his daughter, Mary Bernice; his sister, Jodie Lynn, and her husband David Spoo; his niece, Kaitlyn Rupp; his nephew, Nathan Spoo; and numerous in-laws and extended family members who loved him dearly.

Memories of weekends at Nanny’s house with his mother and sister, surrounded by extended family, provided George with a strong and lasting familial bond. He cherished visits from his great-grandmother Mary during a hospital stay after developing osteomyelitis from a football injury, which left him with a gnarly 1½-foot scar on his right leg. The origin story changed depending on his mood and was always a perfect conversation starter. He also loved telling the story of his newlywed grandfather Walter believing his wife Bernice—George’s Nanny—couldn’t cook eggs, a tale rooted in perseverance that ended with George declaring her the best cook he ever knew. He enthusiastically tried to live up to that standard himself, delighting friends and family with his version of Texas-style barbecue and award-winning chili, capturing more than one cook-off title. George’s early years also included church camp, Boy Scouts, working on a Mennonite farm, and wrestling at Ephrata High School.

George graduated from Ephrata High School in 1985 and soon after joined the United States Navy, proudly serving aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). A Desert Storm veteran, George often said his Navy years helped him grow out of his quiet, awkward teen phase and into the loud, opinionated, and deeply beloved contrarian his friends cherished. During this time, he also became a lifelong Jimmy Buffett fan, embracing island music, humor, and carefree lyrics. After leaving the military, George focused on putting himself through college while working as a machinist in a textile factory. His natural mechanical ability and analytical mind served him well throughout his life.

George earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Millersville University, graduating magna cum laude. There, he built lifelong friendships through nights of bowling and legendary karaoke performances of Meat Loaf and Jimmy Buffett hits. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Texas A&M University in 2006, where he also developed a love for country music, adding twang and storytelling to his eclectic soundtrack. In graduate school, despite demanding academics, he found time to take up golf, hone his brisket smoking skills, attend Aggie football games, and spend nights at Northgate with friends. This long road led George straight to Sara. Their shared love of wit, playful banter, and laughter laid the foundation for a lifelong partnership. Together, they moved west to begin their careers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where George worked for 19 years. George and Sara welcomed their daughter, Mary Bernice, who instantly became the center of his world. He was Mary’s biggest—and loudest—supporter, proudly claiming she was his daughter because he “lost a bet,” an inside joke that never failed to make them both smile. Mary was his pride and joy.

Throughout his life, George was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. In later years, he developed a deep passion for target shooting sports. George became deeply involved at Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility and served nearly a decade as vice president of the Tri-Cities Shooting Association. He hosted matches across multiple disciplines—including F-Class, Long Gong, and .22 long range—and was a fearless advocate for youth and precision shooting sports. His collaboration with the Benton County Parks Department was marked by humor, curiosity, and a warm, easygoing nature that made him a joy to work with.

George loved big dogs and could not lie. Other dog lovers could not deny his talent for rewriting song lyrics on the fly—usually to the amusement (and occasional embarrassment) of those around him. At work, he was often recognized before he was seen, whistling down the halls—a quiet reflection of his calm, thoughtful, and approachable presence. Whether in the kitchen cooking, tinkering in the garage, or working late nights solo in the lab, he had the music blaring in the background. Above all, George loved learning, laughing, and connecting with people. His booming voice, opposing opinions, and generous heart left lasting impressions on everyone he met. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

A celebration of life will be held at Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility’s clubhouse. Please RSVP using the following link so the Hager family can plan accordingly. https://sugeni.us/eN6z