Donald John Hagerty

Donald John Hagerty, 90, of Davis, California, passed away peacefully at his home on October 13, 2025. Born on Christmas Eve in 1934 in Ohio, Donald was an Army veteran and skilled marksman. He spent many years as an administrator at the University of California, Davis, where he was instrumental in helping to shape a program for interns working abroad. After retiring from the university, Donald pursued his greatest love—writing.

Donald was passionate about art of the American West and became one of the leading scholars on the artist Maynard Dixon. Over the years, he authored thirteen books, including the popular Desert Dreams: The Art and Life of Maynard Dixon. He loved sharing his knowledge with others and frequently curated museum exhibitions and lectured at libraries, museums, and galleries. He often visited the places he wrote about, spending summers with his family exploring places such as Canyon de Chelly, Santa Fe and the Sierra Nevada. He took great pride in sharing his love of the natural world with his children.

At 89, Donald completed his final project as a contributor to the Nevada Museum of Art’s book and exhibition Sagebrush and Solitude: Maynard Dixon in Nevada. He also served for many years on the Board of Directors of the California State Library Foundation. Donald’s contributions to the field of American art history were profound, and his legacy endures through the books and wisdom he shared.

“To know Donald was to know someone who didn’t just study art and history—he lived it, breathed it, and gave it back to us with all his heart.”

Donald was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rebecka Hagerty; his children, Kristina, James, Michael, and Dana; and his grandson, Matthew.