Walter E. Hanson

Walter E. Hanson, 93, of Springfield died on Sunday morning, April 4, 2010, among family in the affectionate care of St. John's Hospice. Walter was born July 14, 1916 on a farm near Lyndon, KS, the son of Andrew and Laura Hanson. He married Sue Roling on September 14, 1940 in Durant, OK. Walter and Sue were married for 67 years when she passed away in 2008. Walter was a proud alumnus of Kansas State University and the University of Illinois, where he later worked as a professor. After serving as a World War II Naval Officer, he was engineer of bridge and traffic structures for the state of Illinois. He formed a company in 1954 that became Hanson Engineers, now Hanson Professional Services, Inc., a firm respected for its engineering contributions around the world. Of his many publications, his Foundation Engineering textbook, coauthored in 1974, is still in use today. Even in his later years, he continued to write articles, sponsored engineering scholarships and maintained active memberships in 15 professional and technical societies. Walter was inducted into the Illinois Engineering Hall of Fame in 2006. Walter was an active member in the Springfield community as a volunteer, philanthropist and humanitarian. A member of Westminster Presbyterian Church since 1952, he was a church elder, deacon and trustee. His love, support and commitment to his family and friends was profound, and his kindness and gentle nature will be remembered by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his sister, Etta Hanson. He is survived by his daughter, Karen Hanson Pletsch of Springfield; three grandchildren, David A. (wife, Heather) Pletsch of Springfield; Amy Pletsch (husband Tony) Schoenoff of Ann Arbor, MI; and Jonathan M. (wife, Hethyr) Pletsch of Colorado Springs, CO; three great-grandchildren, Jessica Hanson Pletsch, James David Pletsch and Gage Edmund Pletsch; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Prior to the Memorial Gathering, cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield. A Memorial Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Dr. Lonnie Lee. Private family inurnment will follow at Oak Ridge Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hanson Family Fund, Sangamon County Community Foundation, 205 S. Fifth St., Suite 930, Springfield, IL, 62701.