GALEN EDWARD HAZEN, b orn June 19, 1950, Newton, Ks, and grew up in Valley Center. He passed away at age 66 on May 3, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Catherine Hazen, and brothers Leslie and Harvey Hazen. He is survived by sisters Carolyn Hazen of Wichita, and Christine Rahnamai of Enfield, Ct; daughter Caroline Hazen of Augusta; nephew Gabriel (Loyda) Hazen of Wichita; aunts Mary Jane Spencer of Valley Center, and Deborah Ann Kelly, of Wichita; and several cousins. After graduating from Valley Center High School in 1968, he enlisted in the army and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he honed his skills as a machinist and welder. His proudest accomplishment was working on the team that designed and built Blackbear Bosin's Keeper of the Plains icon, a major Wichita attraction. He was recently interviewed for a historical documentary for the Mid-America All-Indian Center. He loved his family and, from the age of five, had a lifelong friend who had lived across the street. He made friends easily and would often say he never met a stranger. His second love was cars, fixing, racing, and admiring them. He also loved to dance and had an eclectic taste in music. He could be found several days a week at a senior dance cuttin' a rug. He had a collection of music with over 10,000 songs, ranging from jazz and swing to rock and roll. His other interests were guns, old movies, murder and suspense fiction, and word games. He was a history buff with a keen interest in local history, bolstering his knowledge with short road trips. Later in life he started cooking and trying new recipes. He was a connoisseur of microbrews and held German beers in high regard. For many years he lived in Plano, Texas, where he worked as a computer maintenance technician for Raytheon and retired after 30 years. When he moved back to Kansas in 2015, he purchased his dream home where he was close to family again. Those who knew him best will remember his infectious laugh, his sense of humor he probably got from his mom, his generosity, his warmth, his loyalty. He will be sorely missed by his friends and family. Funeral services will be held on May 20, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 528 West 5 ^th St. Valley Center, KS at 10:30 AM. Baker Funeral Home Valley Center has charge. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com