Tilden Ira Hansen Aged 70, passed November 12, 2012 in Marin. The son of John, a Norwegian fisherman from Tvedestrand, Norway and his mother Laura of the California pioneering Randall family. A third generation San Francisco Police Officer. Tilden served his City and his Country as a Marine Reservist. He married Nebraskan Penny Shaffer in '65, after meeting as a SF Life Guard. The father of two daughters; Rana Eger (Jeff), 2 grandsons; Austin and Brent of Petaluma and Deborah Manion, granddaughters; Devin and Macie of Los Gatos and dog, Bo. Also, survived by older brother Martin Hansen of Nashville. Joining the SF Fire Dept. in the 60's, advancing to Lieutenant and developing the SFFD Surf Rescue program with Bob Fennell at ocean beach fire house, Engine 34. In the 80's Tilden received the American Legion Valor award for his courage for entering a burning and smoke filled building searching and rescuing a young child in a bedroom, hiding under a crib. While in retirement, he put his wife through a Special Education credential program at SSU. He also returned to school for a Fire Science credential to teach, in 1982. He nested in Novato for 32 years. He cared for his infant grandchildren and began traveling. He took his entire family on trips. He was a natural diver with original scuba certification from the 60's. He claims to diving into the Diving Bell at SF Playland at the Beach to clean the tank wall with a putty knife while avoiding the six foot, one-eyed, gray reef shark. He visited many warm water seas-but loved Kauai. His best virtue was his patience and loyalty. He was capable of many self-taught skills. He remodeled endlessly and could fix anything. Later, he played Pedro several times a week and learned the ukulele. We shared the same path and memories for 47 years. He will be in our hearts forever. A gathering for family and friends will be at Novato Horsemen Club House at 600 Bugeia Ln off Atherton Ave. in Novato. Sunday, Nov. 18, 12-3:00 PM. Please enter slowly. Horses and cattle on premise. Dress casual.
Published in Marin Independent Journal from November 15 to November 17, 2012
