Richard J. Hansen

Published 6:46 pm Friday, June 27, 2014

Oct. 18, 1930 – Jun. 17, 2014

Richard James (Dick) Hansen, husband to Karen Hansen, married December 27, 1955 in Leeds, North Dakota, and father to Sally, Debby, Lori Hansen and son-in-law, Ken Ragsdale, passed peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Richard was born on October 18, 1930 on a farm between Leeds and Churches Ferry, North Dakota to Lynwood and Margaret Hansen. He is also survived by a sister, Marilyn Maddux, of Denver.

Richard was valedictorian of his 1948 graduating class at Leeds High School. He received a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1957 from University of North Dakota, and then worked for Sperry Univac/ Unisys for 32 years in Minnesota, California, England, and Utah, creating and building air traffic control systems and radar naval systems throughout the United States and Russia. He “retired” as a self- employed Mac Tool Distributor in Redmond, Oregon. Richard served four years in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954.

Richard owned a plane before a car. He got his pilot license at 17, and continued his love of flying by building a plane which he flew for five years. He was inducted into the UFO – United Flying Octogenarians, and was one of 1,400 over-eighty-year-old pilots in the world. He was an active leader and member of the Central Oregon Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA 617), taking many Young Eagles on their very first flight. He was a member of the original “Save the Dry Canyon” group that preserved the multi-use park for all to use, instead of a golf course for a privileged few. He recently restored a 1956 Chevy 4-door hardtop that matched the first car he owned with Karen, and was a member of the Redmond Drifters Car Club.

He loved camping, water and snow skiing, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, woodworking, 4-wheeling, and laughing.

A memorial service was held Saturday, June 21 at Zion Lutheran Church, where he has been President, chair of the building committee and a loving member for 25 years.

Richard will be greatly missed by family, friends and the community. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Zion Lutheran Church, EAA 617 or Redmond Hospice.

Autumn Funerals-Redmond has been entrusted with the arrangements, (541) 504-9485;

www.autumnfunerals.net