Joseph Calvin Hansen

Joseph Calvin Hansen, 28, died in a traffic accident on June 20, 2025.
Joe was born July 22, 1996, in St. Louis, MO to Rick and Nancy Hansen. Joe moved with his family when he was 2 years old to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he enjoyed striking up conversations with strangers, learning the alphabet, and putting on his Velcro shoes. He then moved to Meridian, Idaho when he was 5 years old. He attended River Valley Elementary, Pierce Park Elementary and Hidden Springs Elementary. He loved playing 4-square, riding his bike, playing baseball and soccer, and making many friends. Joe loved everything about school; he was so excited to learn, play outside, and interact with friends.
He attended Riverglen Junior High School and Treasure Valley Math and Science Center. He was thrilled to learn and master topics of math and science. During these years he enjoyed many home science projects, specializing in catapults, rockets, sparklers, and smoke bombs. He also learned piano at his mother's strong request to develop his cultural side. He enjoyed playing basketball and running cross-country as well--always working on his personal best.
He attended Capital High School where his interests pivoted to skate boarding, manufacturing a battery powered skateboard, learning to drive, going on dates, and attempting to satisfy his unquenchable thirst for more learning. Joe taught himself how to juggle many different objects. To develop more independence in the finance area of his life, he started his own fence-painting business in the neighborhood where he learned business principles such as customer satisfaction and negotiating a fair bid. He also mowed lawns, and helped produce and deliver orthodontic appliances. He loved going on hikes and earned his Eagle Scout Award. A heartfelt thanks from his very grateful parents to each of his Scout leaders and many teachers and mentors.
After graduating from high school, Joe served a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo West Mission. There he developed a true love for the amazing people who lived there and mastered the Spanish language.
Joe went to college at Brigham Young University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. He loved working on a team project in the robotics competition. Joe worked various jobs during college including the UPS Store and as a teaching assistant in the Physics department. Joe truly loved learning and teaching and sharing the learning experience with others, and he did so with great patience and kindness.
After graduating from college, he worked as an engineer at ATL, Regent, and Fortem Technologies. He absolutely loved contributing to the team and mission. He truly admired and respected each of his wonderful coworkers and mentors at those companies.
Outside of work, Joe loved to be physically active. He enjoyed going to the gym to lift weights. He loved to hike and summit mountains with family and friends, preferably all in one day. He learned to mountain bike and loved the pace and skill of those experiences. Joe also loved music. He frequently would text his favorite songs to his siblings. After a hiatus in high school from playing piano, Joe purchased a keyboard and enjoyed relearning to play songs. Joe also liked to write in his journal and capture new ideas.
Joe is survived by his parents, Rick and Nancy Hansen, his siblings Emily Hansen (spouse, Braeden Pugmire), Garrett Hansen (spouse, Lily Scarrow), Alyssa Hansen and Mallory Hansen, his grandmother Joye M. Hansen, and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded in death by Delwyn G Hansen (grandfather), Thomas Edward Clarke III (uncle), Michael Carlos Stuart (uncle), Douglas Phillip Stuart and Doris Kaye Stuart (grandparents).
His family offers their sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the many wonderful family, friends, teachers, professionals, coworkers and mentors that helped Joe during his journey during mortality.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Treasure Valley Math and Science Center (link below).