HANSEN, COOK, NIELSEN, KAVENEY

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Monday, April 02, 2012 at 07:01:48 :

Marin Independent Journal
Tuesday, December 11, 2001

HANSEN, Paul J., 70, of San Rafael, passed away December 4, 2001. California Cremation and Burial Services of Richmond, 510-234-9102.

Paul J. Hansen
Died peacefully at Kaiser Hospital in San Rafael on December 4, 2001 of complications from cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and children. He was 70 years old. Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Lorayne Hansen, son Pete Hansen (Sølvi) of Nigeria, son Chris Hansen (Deanna) of Los Angeles and daughter Paula Hansen-Cook (Clay Cook) of Petaluma. He is survived by his brothers Juhl and Stan Hansen of Iowa, and sisters Hope Nielsen of Iowa and Marylou Kaveney of Novato. He was a loving grandfather of four: Kiel, Merethe, Eirik and Peter Hansen. He was a kind and gentle man, much loved by his family and many, many friends in the community. Born in the small town of Moorhead, Iowa on February 20, 1931 of Danish immigrant parents, he grew up in Moorhead and graduated from Iowa State College with a degree in general science and math. He joined the Navy where he served in the Pacific as an officer on the USS Duncan. In 1956, he moved to the Bay Area, married and started working for Honeywell as a mechanical engineer. He worked for Honeywell until his retirement, after 35 years, in 1991. He was a very active and long-standing member of his church, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin. Paul loved the outdoors and was often leading or taking part in hikes, camping or backpack trips all over California and beyond. Upon retirement he became an avid birdwatcher and also a docent at the Audubon Canyon Ranch in West Marin, where he delighted in teaching children about his love of nature. He often could be found walking on a beach, birding by the bay or fishing with friends for crawdads at one of the lakes up on Mount Tam. He was an active volunteer in the community, tirelessly helping out those less fortunate than himself. He loved to play bridge, was passionate about it, enjoying the mental challenge and stimulation of the game. Paul was a consummate handyman who could fix anything and everything; it was a very rare sight to see a repair truck outside the family home. He was a loving, gentle man who was admired and respected by all who knew him. He will be sorely missed. There will be a Paul Hansen Appreciation Day and Memorial Service on Sunday, December 30, at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin church in San Rafael. Please join family and friends to honor and celebrate Paul's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Audubon Canyon Ranch or the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin. The family wishes to thank all the many people who have given so much support in this difficult time.