RICHARD EUGENE HANNA

HANNA, RICHARD EUGENE Richard Eugene Hanna passed away peacefully on August 13, 2010, in the presence of his family and close friends. Gene was born in Cantril, Iowa on April 25, 1920, and was raised in Ontario, California. He attended Chaffey High School and Chaffey College prior to a distinguished career as a Naval aviator in the Pacific theater during World War II. As a Navy bomber pilot, Gene flew more than one hundred missions and was awarded a number of aviation awards including the Air Medal for heroism and meritorious service. After leaving military service, he owned a painting contracting business and enjoyed golf and flying his classic Ryan Navion aircraft. After retiring, Gene and his wife of fifty-eight years, Zanada "Sunny" Hanna, resided in Baja, California and Ocean Beach, California. Residents of Ocean Beach will remember Gene and his miniature dachshund sitting on the porch of his Ocean Beach residence. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife and his brother, Norris S. Hanna. His life and memory will be cherished by his brother, Harry S. Hanna and his wife, Jeanette Hanna, of Riverside, California; his children, Richard E. Hanna, Jr., of Kaui, Hawaii, Robert J. Hanna of San Diego, California, Nancy Hanna Ward of Bethany Beach, Delaware, and Eve Cole of Salt Lake City, Utah; his grandchildren, Sacha Hanna, Erin Hanna, Catherine Hanna, Courtney Hanna, Timothy Hanna, Leah Ward and Tai Ward; sons and daughters-in-laws, Rob Ward, Martin Cole, Leslie Hanna and Yueling Hanna, and his companion and friend, Nell Hinckley. Gene will be interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Braille Institute in La Jolla, California.