Ronald Lee Hansen of Poway, California passed away at the age of 90. A lifelong pilot, Ron “Flew West” on May 11, 2026. He was born on May 8, 1936 in Sydney, Nebraska to John Nick Hansen and Mary Eleanor Nicodemus Hansen. The family moved to El Centro, California and later Santa Ana, California.
Ron’s love of flying started early, taking his first flight lesson at age 12. He and his twin brother Jon soloed on their 16th birthday. Ron and Jon entered the United States Naval Cadet Flight program in Pensacola, Florida in May 1958 and earned their wings in 1959. He and Jon were squadron VS33 plank owners flying S2F/E aircraft off the USS Bennington. He became an Aircraft Commander and obtained a Regular Commission as well as qualifying as a carrier underway OOD (Officer of the Deck). Upon completion of his sea duty, Ron was transferred to VS-41 as an S2E instructor pilot. On December 18, 1964, Ron’s active duty ended, but he continued to fly with the Naval Reserve until 1967.
On December 11, 1964, Ron started his 27-year career with Pan American. He was stationed in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berlin, New York, and Miami. He was among the first crews trained on the Boeing-747 and flew test flights in Roswell, New Mexico. He recently told the story that he held the 7th type rating certification on the Boeing-747. Ron finished his Pan Am career on December 4, 1991. Ron then joined American International Cargo as a captain and was instrumental in developing the airline’s Boeing-747 operation. Ron’s inaugural flight was a trip to Pago Pago and Melbourne on April 18, 1993. He flew all over the world carrying a vast array of cargo including movie sets, clothes, and livestock. Ron finished his career flying the Boeing-747 departing Honolulu HI on May 5, 1996, where he received his last flight water salute, and landing at LAX, Los Angeles on May 6.
Ron’s flying career did not end. He joined his brother in running the Hansen Air Group as the west coast representative. The Hansen Air Group imported and distributed various models of Light Sport Aircraft from Europe to the United States. Hansen Air Group partnered with Able Flight, to supply specially modified Sky Arrow LS aircraft equipped with adapted hand controls to help students with physical disabilities achieve their sport pilot certificates. A natural engineer, he refurbished a Piper J5 Cub to flying condition, worked on the family cars, remodeled his home, and built a beach house in Baja, Mexico.
Ron and his wife Marilyn lived in San Diego County for 55 years. Ron was very involved in his wife’s community activities and his children’s sports. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Foothills Methodist Church in El Cajon, California. Ron enjoyed numerous hobbies and recreational activities including traveling in his motor home, water skiing, sailing,
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his twin brother Jon Dee Hansen. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Jane Stipe Hansen; his two sisters Barbara Hawkins and Sandy Cook; three children Jeff Hansen, Ronna Semonian, and Janelle Ward; daughter-in-law Kathie Hansen, sons-in-law Geoff Semonian and Steve Ward; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.