Herbert Hanson, a retired electrical engineer who worked in military and civilian communications, died of cancer Oct. 8 at his Timonium home. He was 85.
Born in Erie, Pa., he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Penn State University, He then obtained a master's degree from Drexel University.
He served in the Coast Guard in the Pacific during the Korean War.
In 1957, Mr. Hanson joined the Glenn L. Martin Co. and worked in its Research Institute for Advanced Studies on the Vanguard and Explorer satellite programs.
He was later a founding partner of the electronics company Chesapeake Systems Corp., located in Cockeysville.
He later joined COMSAT, a commercial satellite business, and retired from General Electric Spacenet. He worked in communications systems designed for U.S. overseas troops.
Mr. Hanson was a member of the Engineers Club and served on its house committee. He oversaw the restoration of the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion on Mount Vernon Place.
He also enjoyed golf at the Hunt Valley Golf Club.
The family will receive visitors from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home, 1050 York Road.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Anne Sincock, a former Emerson Drug Co. chemist; a son, Eric A. Hanson of Baltimore; a daughter, Kathryn H. Szot of Silver Spring; a brother, Donald Hanson of Texas; two sisters, Wilma Renner and Carole Aulenbacher, both of Erie, Pa.; and four grandchildren.
—Jacques Kelly