Lyle D. Hansen

Lyle Hansen of Burton, Vashon Island, died at home on January 25, 2007, surrounded by his family. Born on June 6, 1922 in Brayton, Iowa to Albert Hans Hansen and Adelia Anderson Hansen, Lyle and his family moved to Seattle in 1933, where he attended Lincoln High School and the University of Washington. He eloped with Marie Bjelland in March 1942.

Enlisting in the Navy in 1944, Lyle served as a combat photographer for CINCPAC in the Pacific Theater on several ships and aircraft at Guam, Okinawa, and Iwo Jima. He photographed the initial Marine landing at Yokusaka, Japan and the conditions of the Japanese on the island of Truk after surrender. After the war, Lyle returned to his job at Boeing where he was an industrial photographer and manager for 38 years.

Lyle and Marie built two homes in north Seattle and another on Vashon, settling in Burton in 1959, where boating became a major focus. He was a Commodore and life member of Quartermaster Yacht Club, and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In 1981, after working for 13 ½ years to build his last boat, he launched the 40-foot ferro-cement ketch, Starfire, which he sailed in the San Juans for 5 years as a charter captain.

Lyle and Marie wintered 11 years in San Diego near Marie’s sister and brother-in-law, Myrtis and Roland Hurd. During this time, Lyle discovered Photoshop and began assembling computers. For the next 12 years, he joined a number of camera clubs where he proudly exhibited works that used this new technology.

Lyle is survived by his wife, Marie; sons Steve and wife Ellen (Seattle); Perry and wife Barbara (Vashon); David and partner Norman (Victoria); Brian and wife Wendy (Bellingham); his brother Don (Bothell); sister and brother-in-law Pat and Howard Schjelland (Kenmore); five grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 1:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit at 15420 Vashon Highway SW. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Vashon Fire and Rescue PO Box 1150, Vashon, WA 98070 or to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, 425 Pontius Ave. N., Ste.300, Seattle 98109 or online at hospiceofseattle.org.