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Dr. Irnee D'Haenens

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Pepperdine University University of Southern California Wabash College

Irnee D'Haenens Obituary

D'HAENENS, Dr. Irnee Born February 3, 1934. Died December 24, 2007. Dr. Irnee D'Haenens, born in Mishawaka, Indiana, married Shirley Vanderbosch in 1955, had four children (Gregory, Michelle, Therese, and Mark), 19 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Irnee attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana for two years and then transferred to Notre Dame and graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Physics in 1956. While working at Hughes Research Labs he was obtaining his masters at the University of Southern California. In 1963 he was awarded the Hughes Staff Doctoral Fellowship to complete his graduate studies for a Phd in Physics at Notre Dame. He was inducted into Sigma XI, a scientific honorary society and received his doctorate at Notre Dame in 1966. Irnee served as adjunct professor of physics and math at California Lutheran University and Pepperdine University. Dr. D'Haenens worked in research at Hughes Lab for 33 years. During his tenure at Hughes he had more than 40 technical publications and seven patents to his credit. His most impressive feat was, however, research that led to a demonstration of the world's first laser. Dr. D'Haenens retired from Hughes Labs after in 1989 after 33 years of work. He then began to enjoy his hobbies of fishing, reading, working crossword puzzles, traveling, but most of all watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren succeed!!! The family requests in lieu of flowers a contribution toward pancreatic cancer research at Hirshberg Foundation 2990 South Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 300C, L.A., CA 90064. A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Malibu Church, 3625 Winter Canyon Rd., Malibu, January 5th at 11:00 a.m.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Jan. 2, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Irnee D'Haenens

17 Entries

Jeff White

February 5, 2008

Dear Shirley and family,
as well as enjoying the respect of everyone at HRL, Irnee left a good impression and warm feelings wherever he went, which is no small feat. Even people like myself, who overlapped only briefly, were moved by Irnee's combination of technical excellence and personal kindness.

Kathleen Maiman

January 18, 2008

Dear Shirley,

It is not so easy to lose someone so very special. I am still in shock and so sad that you lost your dear Irnee and I lost Ted.
Ted always said how lucky he was to have had Irnee as his 'right hand man' at Hughes when they were working together to invent the laser

I cherish our time with Irnee last October at the Michael Barnoski home and in December with George Rosenthal.

My thoughts and sympathy are with you and your family.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Maiman

Wolfgang Knauer

January 10, 2008

Dear D’Haenens Family,

I am saddened to hear that Irnee died unexpectedly. When I saw him last at a Hughes breakfast meeting in October or November, his smile was as broad and his handshake as firm as ever. So it is a great shock to learn that now he is gone.

At the Research Lab Irnee and I had little professional contact. But Irnee was such a likeable person that any chance encounter in the halls always resulted in a friendly exchange. And more recently, at those breakfast meetings, it was a pleasure to sit near Irnee and chat with him. I will miss him.

January 5, 2008

Dear Shirley & family - My deepest sympathy to all of you. Irnee was a good friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Norma Pasky
Las Vegas, Nv

Dr Nicholas and Marcy Razum

January 4, 2008

Shirley:
Our hearts go out to you and all your family in this difficult time. It was an honor to meet Irnee and you last month at the luncheon to discuss the development of Ted Maiman and Irnee’s Ruby Laser with all of the distinguished guests. Irnee, who was obviously not feeling well, never winced, but regaled us with stories and technical details of those glory days. The loss of his knowledge, history, and concern for others is a profound loss to the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mike Berger

January 4, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

John Tindall

January 3, 2008

Dear Shirley,
I will sure miss a great fishing partner, and book reviewer. We will both miss his wonderful sushi and a great neighbor.
Love John & Nancy

Sam Ontiveros

January 3, 2008

Sorry about your loss. I met Irnee while working at HRL. We became friends in a matter of seconds. I considered him a great person and a true friend.
Sam Ontiveros

Sherri Schoenberger

January 3, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time ~ Stay strong for each other.
I remember all the "old" days from Berkshire and El Monte Dr..
And have fond thoughts of your family..

Bradley Bobbs

January 2, 2008

Dear D'Haenens Family: Irnee was wonderful to know (since 1975) and see at HRL reunion lunches. I'll miss him very much.

Brian & Denise Van Avermaete

January 2, 2008

To the D'Haenens family:

I had the opportunity to meet Dr. D'Haenens many years ago at his home in Malibu when my father, who attended Mishawaka High School with him, was visiting me in Yorba Linda. I remember the trip to Malibu very well. At the time, I knew very little about Dr. D'Haenens scientific accomplishments, but he took the time to explain to me the basics of how lasers work. He made it seem so simple. I could not imagine anyone explaining the subject any easier than Dr. D'Haenens. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.

Adrian Popa

January 2, 2008

Shirley and family,
You are in BJ and my thoughts and prayers. Irnee was a fun person to work with during my 39 years at HRL and was a great mentor for me after I joined Hughes in 1961. We will miss him at our retiree breakfasts. Love

Pat & Bob Bryan

January 2, 2008

D'Haenens Family. We send our deepest sympathy. Irnee has been a good friend and a constant joy since he came to HRL. We will miss him very much.

David and Denise Pepper

January 2, 2008

Dearest Shirley,

Our deepest condolences to you and the entire D'Haenens family. Irnee was one of most wonderful, lovable, and compassionate human beings that we were blessed and honored to have known --- a true "Mensch" in every sense of the word. We are always there for you, Shirley.

With all our Love,

John & Elizabeth (Zerbe) Keller

January 1, 2008

Shirley, We send our deepest sympathy and prayers, to you and your family.

Janice Chamberlin

January 1, 2008

To Aunt Shirley and cousins Greg, Michelle, Therese, and Mark:
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Take care of each other and remember the good times. I've always been proud of Uncle Irnee and of all his accomplishments. I'll especially be thinking of you on January 5th.
Love, Jannie (or as Uncle Irnee called me, "Jansi")

John Manion

January 1, 2008

Shirley... what a shock to hear Irnee's death... (my wife, Mary Ann (Grittani) of Mishawaka remembers you and Irnee well. The Notre Dame Class of 1956 has lost a great friend and Classmate.
John Manion -Secretary, ND56

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