John M. Hanson, formerly of Cary, N.C., and Mt. Prospect, Ill., was born Nov. 16, 1932, in Brookings to Melvin L. and Mary E. (nee Slater) Hanson. He died May 26, 2017, peacefully in his sleep at his residence in Green Valley, Ariz.
John served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was president of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., headquartered in Northbrook, IL from 1979 to 1992. WJE, an employee-owned inter-disciplinary firm, is a global leader in providing practical, innovative, and technically sound solutions for the built world. John was also a professor at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C.
John was president of the American Concrete Institute in 1990 and the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering from 1993 to 1997. He was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering, Civil Engineering Section, in 1992.
He is survived by his children, Margaret (Glenn) Reed, Eric Hanson, Minda (John) Josten, and Martha (Lee) Weyers; his grandchildren, Joanna, Julie, Jennifer, Adam, Agnieszka, and Zofia; and his sisters, Katharine (late Clarence) Lee, and Mary Lou (Marty) Smith.
John is preceded in death by his wife Mary E. (nee Josephson), and his brother David Hanson.
A memorial service, officiated by his niece, The Reverend Kari Hart of The Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, June 24, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1624 E. Euclid Ave., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, Md. 21298-9832 USA, www.lwr.org.
Additional information is available and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFH.com or (847) 253-0168.
