The Honorable Robert A. Hagler, 84, of Xenia, passed away Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Legacy Village in Xenia, Ohio. He was born January 23, 1940 in Xenia, the son of the late William Glenn and Harriett A. Sitterle Hagler. He is survived by his children, Burt (Roxann) Hagler, Jeff (Tami) Hagler, Tracy (Doug) Elam, and Jenni (Mike) Grooms; grandchildren, Kelsey (Joe) Licher, Brooke Elam, Davis Hagler, Molly Hagler, Grant Hagler, Lee Hagler, West (Maddie) Hagler, Marnie Hagler, Will Grooms, and Sam Grooms; two sisters, Mary Jo (John) Morrow, and Ellen (Paul) Brower; his very special friend Suzie Miller, and too many wonderful family and friends to list. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Bill (Marcia) Hagler, and by the mother of his children, Karen (West) Hagler.

Bob graduated from Xenia High School in 1958 and earned a BA from Denison University in 1962, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He earned his law degree (Juris Doctorate) from The Ohio State University in 1965 and returned to Xenia to practice law from 1965 to 1973. Bob served as Assistant Prosecutor of Greene County from 1967 to 1970, as Greene County Juvenile Court Judge from 1973 to 1995, and as Greene County Probate Court Judge from 1973 to 2013. He retired in 2013 after serving more than 40 years on the bench, as the longest tenured Common Pleas Court judge in Ohio. He was active in protecting the community's children outside the courtroom, serving on the Ohio Youth Commission Advisory Board, Greene County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board, United Way, and as past president of the American Red Cross, Greene County Branch.

Judge Hagler was the first recipient of the Distinguished George Gounaris Award for outstanding judicial service, presented by the Miami Valley Trial Lawyers Association (2006), and he has received several Superior Judicial Service Awards from the Supreme Court of Ohio. In 2009, he was elected to membership in the Xenia Educational Endowment Fund Hall of Honor for leadership, high achievement and service. He was recognized by the Ohio Senate in 2011 and the Ohio House of Representatives in 2013 for his dedication to the highest traditions of American jurisprudence, which justify the widespread respect given to him as a "true public servant." He was active in the National College of Probate Judges and the Ohio Probate Judges Association for many years and served on the executive board for both The American Judicature Society and The National Violent Offenders Council. He lectured regularly to the Ohio Correctional and Court Services Association and the Greene County Bar Association. In 2014 he received the Ervin J. Nutter Award, and in 2023 he was inducted into the Xenia High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Judge Hagler was a true advocate for children and will be greatly missed by his community.

Above all, Bob was a remarkable father to his four children and the greatest "Granddaddy" to his ten grandchildren. He loved his family unconditionally, protected and provided for them, and always taught them to believe in and turn to God. His gentle spirit, humor, love–and his tendency to break into a song at any moment–will ring in our hearts forever.

Visitation will be held August 16, 5:00-8:00 pm, at Xenia United Presbyterian Church, 343 W. Ankeney Mill Road in Xenia. A service will be held Saturday, August 17 at 10:00 am at the same church with Pastor Greg Delaney officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Xenia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Michael's House, a Child Advocacy Center in Greene County, in honor of Robert A. Hagler (online at michaelshousecac.org; by mail at 1016 Rainbow Ct., Fairborn, OH 45324; or by phone at 937-641-3405). Condolences to the family may be made at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com.