Donald Dermit Hansen, known affectionately as Don, Dad and Papa Don, passed away peacefully at his home in Boerne, Texas, on Jan. 23, 2025, at the age of 96. Born Sept. 27, 1928, in South River, New Jersey, Don lived a full and accomplished life.

Don was the only son of his parents, Francis (Frank) Rudolph Hansen and Edna Mae (Lane) Hansen, and grew up with two sisters. As a young man, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army toward the end of World War II and was stationed at Haneda, Japan, during the occupation.

After his service, he attended the Agricultural College of Utah State University, graduating in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in commerce. He worked for the United States Forest Service during college, a role that reflected his deep appreciation for nature, national parks and the preservation of natural spaces.

Don had lifelong interests in travel, history, gardening and reading. His adventures took him west to Utah for college, on road trips with his young family in their wood-paneled station wagon and pop-up camper and, ultimately, to all seven continents, with an unforgettable African safari as a highlight.

Before and after retirement, he and his beloved second wife, Susie, visited many amazing cities, coastlines, countryside vistas and historic sites together.

An avid reader, Don was always interested in a thoughtful conversation about history. He wrote a 700-page autobiography, “My Long Haul,” during the Covid-19 pandemic, which captured family history as well as many of his interests, life experiences and travels.

In 1958, Don met and married Texas lady Ruth Marion Zoch, and they had their first daughter, Carla Jeanne, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. A few years later, the family moved to San Jose, California, where second daughter, Karen Marie, was born.

They eventually relocated to San Antonio, Texas, where Don would have a long and successful career at USAA and welcomed two more daughters, Martha Anne and Amy Frances, to the family.

An enduring story tells how Don and Ruth had planned for all four babies to be boys, with astronaut names already selected. However, with the birth of each daughter, they found inspiration closer to home, choosing names that honored family members from each side.

Don excelled in his career at USAA and achieved his CPCU (Charter Property Casualty Underwriter) designation while also rising to the executive ranks. He was a member of the National Committee of Property Insurers and sat on its board for a number of years later in his career.

He also served on the Florida and Texas Fair Plan boards. Following early retirement from USAA, Don joined GEICO to lead its then-new program on quality management.

After Don’s first marriage ended, he was fortunate to meet Suzanne (Susie) Kuhn Jones at church in San Antonio. They married and shared 35 wonderful years together, until Susie’s untimely passing from Alzheimer’s disease in 2017. They lived in San Antonio, and Rockville, Maryland as Don’s career progressed, and then retired in Tellico Village, near Knoxville, Tennessee.

Don and Susie moved to Boerne in 2015. Don was an active member of Lutheran churches in each of the four communities where he lived. He was also a 70-year member of the Masonic Lodge, including service as the Worshipful Master of Tennessee Lodge No. 204.

Don is survived by four daughters, Carla Jeanne (Wade) Godsey, Karen Marie Hansen, Martha Hansen (James) Behrend and Amy Frances (Robert Steinhagen) Hansen; their mother, Ruth McFarland; one stepson, James David (Eva Marie) Jones; one stepdaughter, Barbara Sue Jones; and four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Don maintained many lifelong friends from South River and his other walks of life, including Bob Brakey. Proceeding him in death were Don’s parents, his dearest wife, Susie Hansen, and two sisters Mae and Elaine, who he stayed close with throughout their lives.

A Celebration of Life service for Don will be open to friends and family, while interment services for Don will be private. His remains will join Susie’s at their resting place in San Antonio.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. John Lutheran School affiliated with St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne. Details can be found at https://www.ebensberger- fisher.com/obituaries.