Rolf C. Hagen Inc. founder and chairman, Rolf C. Hagen, died October 23, at the age of 79 in his home in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Hagen, born in Hambug, Germany, in 1932, entered into an apprenticeship with a fish and petfood industry importer and exporter in Hamburg following completion of his schooling. He later moved to Montreal, where he founded the Hagen group of companies in 1955. The companies grew into a manufacturer and distributor of pet care products. For his success, Hagen was inducted into the American Pet Products Association Hall of Fame in June 1999 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pet Industry Distributors Association.