Long time Udon resident Hans Hansen has passed away recently. Mr. Hansen has been living at the Napalai Hotel since coming here in 2003. He taught English for many years to Thai students at the Adult Education Center co-located with the Udon Thani Library. He also taught free English classes at the Udon Thani Library for several more years until the effects of Parkinson's Disease forced him to stop. Never one to quit easily Hans continued teaching English classes in his room at the Napalai Hotel until he could no longer handle this task.
I first met Hans in 1972 while he was working as a Communications Engineer for an American company helping to construct Thailand's first satellite communications station outside Bangkok. We have been friends throughout the years and followed Hans here to Udon Thani in 2005 to help him with his teaching. Hans also developed his own computer based voice recognition program to assist Thai students with learning English.
Unfortunately I do not have any information regarding funeral arrangements other than to say services will be held at a Thai temple close to the Thai Army base in Nong Somrong not far from the BB Resort.
He is survived by his son Ken who will be traveling here from his home in Japan. Hans also has a bother in Denmark.
Hans was a good friend of both my wife and I. He will be missed.
RIP Hans Hansen
Re: RIP Hans Hansen
FDM, you have lost a long time friend. Your description of the man puts him up there with the best to help the Thai people, very good and noble of him. R.I.P. Mr Hansen.