Stanford Douglas Hanson passed away peacefully at home on October 22, 2020 at the age of 88. Stan was born in Turtle Lake, North Dakota on September 1, 1932 to father Vaughn Hanson and mother Edna (Kittilson) Hanson. The third of five children, Stan worked on the family farm until he enrolled at Taylor University at the age of 18 to study Liberal Arts. After two years Stan enlisted in the Navy and served four years as an Electronics Technician, Air Crew Radio/Radar Operator and Instructor stationed on Guam.

Honorably discharged in 1956, Stan went on to earn his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. During this time, Stan met the love of his life on a blind date, Judith Anne Brown. They married in 1962.

Stan had a lengthy career as an Automotive Electronics Engineer with Delco Electronics, General Motors and AlliedSignal. While at Delco, he was handpicked for the team which designed gyroscopes for NASA's Project Gemini and Apollo space programs. At GM and Allied, he was a pioneer in airbag engineering starting with the 1973 Airbag Trial Program and culminating in the design and development of airbag modules for companies in the United States as well as throughout Europe and Asia. He ended his career as a consultant on automotive airbag restraint systems.

He had a phenomenal life from North Dakota farmer, Navy airman, Airbag engineer, avid golfer and worldwide traveler. He was a lover of life, family and a nice single malt. Above all, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose love of God and family was evident to all who knew him. He was a pillar of class, honesty and integrity.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents and his sister June Westbrook and brother Robert Hanson. He is survived by his wife Judith Hanson; children Steven Hanson (Cindy), Suzanne Murphy (Thomas) and Thomas Hanson (Julia); brothers Glenn Hanson (Monica) and Rodney Hanson (Karen); grandchildren Emma Palka (Daniel), Kayden, Mckenzie, Meghan, Soren, Reece, Ella and Benjamin.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 33112 Grand River Avenue, Farmington, MI 48336 on October 27, 2020 at noon. Seating is limited due to Covid. Please notify the family if you would like to attend (masks are required by the church). The service will also be streamed live on the Farmington First United Methodist Church Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association or Farmington First United Methodist Church are appreciated in Stan's loving memory.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

12:00 PM

32112 Grand River Avenue
Farmington, MI 48336

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