Edward Ellis Hanson

After a long struggle with cancer, Edward Ellis Hanson passed away peacefully at his home on September 12, 2014. He was 84. Edward was born in Oakland, California. He and his sister Carol Hanson Crabill were raised in Alameda, California. He loved baseball and played centerfield for the Army team while serving his country. On the GI Bill, he attended undergraduate school at San Francisco City College and graduated from the University of California Berkley School of Engineering. Despite, at times, working three jobs, he earned his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was hired by Bechtel Corporation (San Francisco) and worked for 35 years in the Power Division. His career took him all over the country, including Calgary, Canada and Jordan.

He met, fell in love, and married Susan Lahman in Michigan. They settled in Walnut Creek, California to raise their family of three sons. The last thirteen years of his career were spent living in Frederick, Maryland while working in Gaithersburg, MD.

He imparted his great love of the outdoors to his sons. They enjoyed wilderness hiking, backpacking, and fly fishing throughout California. His favorite trek was backpacking into Emigrant Meadow Basin.

His dream was to retire to the beautiful Fall River Valley and build his own home; literally. While living in Walnut Creek, and advertisement caught his eye. "Several thousand feet of maple flooring- free." The catch was that the boards had to be removed from the vintage roller skating rink that was going to be demolished. The entire family commenced to remove the boards, one-by-one, nail-by-nail and move the boards to Fall River Mills. Over twenty-five years later, boards were laid down to create a beautiful floor, worth all the effort.

Edward enjoyed, among other things, fine scotch, antique wood planes, antique clocks repairing old hit-n-miss engines, jazz music, and long road trips. He belonged to several organizations, including: Cal-Berkeley Alumni Association, P.A.S.T. - Preserving Arts and Skills Trade, and the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, INC.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Susan Kay Hanson; their sons, John (Sharon), Forrest (Sonia), and Bruce (Erin); 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Intermountain Hospice (through Mayer's Memorial Hospital).

Arrangements under the direction of McDonald's Chapel, Burney, CA.