John Hans Powell

John Hans Powell was born on January 25, 1926 in the city of Trier, Germany, the first son of Mr. Berhnard Puetz and Margarete Eich. His parents gave him a younger brother 3 years later, Matthias, Bub for short.

At the age of 6, Hans entered Volksshule Ehrang, Primary School in Ehrang, not far from his home.

After graduating "Top of the Class" from his primary school, Berhnard encouraged him to compete to enroll in the Gotha training school for aircraft building apprenticeship which he won, and started one of his lifelong passions: aircraft building and flying.

When WWII started, Hans and all the students in the Gotha training school were drafted into the paratrooper division of the Luftwaffe; without having completed their studies. The war didn't last long for him; less than 6 months because he was wounded by shrapnel and while hospitalized, the inevitable German surrender took place. Even though the war was over, Hans remained in prison; as a prisoner of the war and shipped to Egypt for more than 3 and a half years under by the British Regime. Finally, Hans was repatriated to Germany, in August, 1948.

Hans immigrated to Canada in September, 1951, in search of an aeronautical career. He was hired immediately by Aircraft Industries of Canada Ltd. (AIC). Hans's carrier flourished. In his spare time, he began building the aircraft of his dream, an amphibious plane for which he was awarded The Keith Hopkinson Memorial Award for best homebuilt aircraft in Canada from the Canadian Owners & Pilot Association (COPA) in 1972.

In 1978, Hans came to California, to work as a test engineer for his Canadian company via a "visitors work" visa which required his return to Canada before year's end. He met Christina who was working for Northwest Airlines. She agreed to marry Hans which would secure his permanent US residence. Christina, always helping others, agreed to the marriage. In the years to come, he became a citizen of the US too.

To make a long story short, both Hans and Christina found that their "friendly" relationship developed into a life long love for each other. They retired to Las Vegas after both spent a lifetime of working in the airline industry. Their new life was an enjoyable one filled with travel, cruising, dining out and visiting family and friends all over the world. Hans wrote an autobiography "Story of My Life", for his family; reflecting on his life, one filled full of adventure, pain and in part regret for his mandated participation in an evil war. But he cherished the precious lifetime he and Christina spent together.

He is survived by his wife, Christina; step-daughter, Theresa (Ross); step-granddaughters, Noelani and Ricki; and his brother, Matthias.