Allen (Al) Eugene Hansen was born June 3, 1925 in Minneapolis, MN to parents Aldolf and Emma Carlson Hansen. The young family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his sister, Delores, was born and relocated to Monticello, Minnesota, where his sister, Elaine, was born.
Al graduated high school from Monticello High School in May, 1943. He enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and arrived at Farragut Naval Training Center in Idaho on June 1. Al served as a Signalman Third Class. He was posted in the U.S. Navy until May 31, 1946. He was posted on a Merchant Marine ship in the Battle of Normandy (D-Day). After being discharged from the Navy, he returned to Monticello where he owned and operated a service station. It was there that he met Joyce Hinck of Overly, ND. In 1947, he started college at the University of Minnesota. He and Joyce married in December 1947.
Al earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1950. That fall, Al and Joyce moved to Riverdale, ND, where their daughters Christine and Ellen were born. In 1955, the young family relocated to Riverside, CA, where he taught math at University Heights Junior High. At UHJH, he was advisor to the Rock Club; an interest that his children share to this day. Each summer, he commuted daily to Long Beach State College, where he earned his MA. In the fall of 1959, the family moved to San Diego State College, where he completed a teaching certificate of secondary school mathematics.
He continued his education by earning a Master of Arts from Long Beach State University in 1959 and a Teaching Certificate in Secondary School Mathematics from San Diego State College in 1960. The family returned to Riverside in 1960, where Al taught math at the new Rubidoux High School. The following year, the family was complete with the birth of their son, Eric. Al began teaching at Riverside City College the following year, where he taught Calculus until retiring in 1988. During his time at RCC, he served as Union President and fought for teachers to be covered by Social Security Insurance.
Al was a farmer at heart and was known by locals for the Christmas tree farm that he grew in the family’s backyard on Victoria Avenue during the 1970s to the 1990s. He perfected the skill of growing sweet oranges and tomatoes. During the 1990s, he sold homegrown citrus and vegetables at the Farmer’s Market in the Riverside Sears parking lot.
Al’s interests were widespread including Duplicate and Rubber Bridge, crossword puzzles, stamp and coin collecting, reading the Press Enterprise, golfing, horse racing, magic, comedy, camping, and travel. In 2009, Al flew to Normandy, France for another look at the town where he had been as a young sailor. In 2013, he traveled to Washington DC on an Honor Flight with a group of World War II veterans.
Al is survived by his children Christine Hansen (Randy Scolatti) of Portland, OR, Ellen Hansen (Linda Lewis) of Portland OR, and Eric Hansen (Jayne) of Riverside, CA, grandchildren Allen Scolatti (Hannah Dominguez-Carbajal), Portland , OR, Anna Scolatti of Klamath Falls, OR, Blake Hansen of Providence, RI, Lauren Hansen of Santa Cruz, CA, Monica Hansen of Riverside, CA, great-grandson Ricky Scolatti of Portland, OR, very special friend Joan Pleasants and niece Sherry Syvertson.
From our dad, we learned kindness and to listen.
