Alan Paul Hansen

Paul Hansen, a former engineer and executive who enjoyed a distinguished career in the international aerospace industry, passed away in Greenville, South Carolina on April 25th. He was 74. Among his accomplishments are the design and marketing of a Microwave Landing System for airplanes, the establishment of the Moscow office for AlliedSignal, the creation of the first U.S. Russia Aerospace Joint Venture for avionics, and the promotion of new generation of avionic for European and former Soviet countries.
After Paul retired, he returned to the town of Laurel Park near Hendersonville, North Carolina. He participated in assisting the development of the short- and long-term goals of the town, serving on the Laurel Park Planning Board, the Parks and Greenways Board, the Laurel Park Civic Association, the Friends of Ecusta Trail, and as a commissioner on the town council. He promoted the creation of Rhododendron Lake Nature Park and the improvement of Town infrastructure and the creation of other parks and amenities.
Paul graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He spent several years at the Fort Lauderdale office of Bendix Avionics, later Allied Signal, now part of Honeywell International. he established AlliedSignal's representative office in Moscow in 1993. As Managing Director of this office he developed a team of professionals to further the company's interests in the aerospace industry of former Soviet Union. In 1995, he received the prestigious Laurel Award from Aviation Week and Space Technology Magazine for his outstanding achievements.
Alan Paul Hansen was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1950. His paternal grandparents and their children traveled south on Dixie Highway when they moved from Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Fort Lauderdale in 1926, and passed through Hendersonville. They stayed overnight at the Johnson Farm boarding house, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a North Carolina Cultural Treasure. The family arrived in Fort Lauderdale shortly before the infamous 1926 hurricane. Later they would make annual summer treks back to the Johnson Farm starting in 1930. In 1950, Paul's father Robert Hansen designed a house in Laurel Park, which they called Tree Tops, which is still owned by the family today. Paul felt fortunate that living in Laurel Park and Hendersonville nurtured his way of life from the formative years of childhood to the contemplative moments of afterlife.
Paul was the fourth of six boys born in Fort Lauderdale to Robert E. and Elaine G. Hansen. He attended Saint Anthony Catholic School and Cardinal Gibbons High School. Early on, Paul developed an interest in electronics. He also became skillful in the building arts. In high school he converted a garage into a recreation room, with built-in strereos he had created. He converted a beer truck into a camper which he and six of his friends used to travel to California and back.
Paul Hansen was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robin Hansen and Robin's son Jason, his brother Jan Hansen and his wife Claire. He is survived by brother Mark Hansen and his wife Lisa of Oak Park, Illinois; brother Steven Hansen and his wife Julie of Fredericksburg, Virginia; and brother Leo Hansen and his wife Marie of Fort Lauderdale. In addition, Paul is survived by his beloved nieces and nephews and their families.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 18th from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Church Street Funeral Home, 125 S. Church Street, Hendersonville.
The funeral service will be Monday, May 19th at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 208 7th Avenue West, also in Hendersonville.
A service will also be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 901 N.E, 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale at 10:00 am Thursday May 22nd. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, you are invited to contribute to the Immaculata Catholic School, https://www.immac.org/, 711 Buncombe St, Hendersonville, NC 28791 and indicate the donation is for scholarships in honor of Paul Hansen.
Paul will be remembered for his years of service to others: "The most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man." – Benjamin Franklin To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alan, please visit our floral store.To make a memorial donation, please visit the donations section of this obituary.