Niel Woolley Hansen

November 9, 1950 - April 2, 2020

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In Loving Memory

I felt like I've known Neil for a lifetime, but actually only between 10 to 15 years. The more I hung out with Neil, the better I got to know him and understand him. I liked his knowledge and also his humor. He was proud of his Corvettes and he liked to show them off along with other things he's collected. After his house was rebuilt from a fire, I helped install a ramp down the back stairs for his electric scooter that was too fast and crazy for anyone to control. But he still rode it anywhere he wanted just like the little blue moped he rode for years earlier. Later, we also installed an electric chair to go up and down the front stairs so that Neil could go out to the garage and tinker on a Vette or a quad or just watch people go by his house. I hooked him up with a laptop so he could check the local classifieds. Even with his physical limitations, he was thinking about projects still to be done. Lots more memories, but I'll stop here and fondly remember Neil, my neighbor.

Irvin Allen

salt lake city, UT

Niel was a great pal and friend to my husband for decades. The Hansens and Andersons were an important part of my young and somewhat naive married life. Niel kept me on my toes always, wondering if he was joking at me or with me, always clever, often subtle with his sense of humor. For many years, Niel and my husband would go “to dinner” once a week. Upon his return, I would ask what they talked about. Given that they were both engineers, when he said “nothing”, I believed it. The world has lost a great man.

Laverne Alves Snow

slc, UT

I first met Neil in the early ‘70’s. We were both weekend warriors in the Fighting 130th and he helped make the weekend-a-month training tolerable. He also helped turn the 130th’s annual two week summer camps into adventures. I have great summer camp memories of helping Neil find a marble chess set in Nuevo Laredo, building balsa wood model planes in a Great Falls Hanger, and taking in the sights while riding a train through Southwest Germany. Neil also taught me the fine art of fiberglass repair (after he found me a broken ’63 Vette to buy), how to build a glass aquarium, and introduced me to his love of cycling. While life after the 130th took us in different directions I’ve not forgotten Neil and his friendship. My sincere condolences to Neil’s daughters, granddaughters, and family.

Mike Heath

south jordan, UT

Neil and I were quite close in high school we played football together ran track together and took auto mechanics together. Neil love Corvettes :-) in high school he drove the coolest car and of course it was an old Corvette. We spent time in the air national guard together and were in Biloxi Mississippi at the same. We also went to the University of Utah at the same time. He went into engineering And I became a pharmacist. We lost track over the years but I always considered Neil a close friend. Crystal told me about his battle with Parkinsonism but I never could find his address or phone number. I would love to meet and speak with his daughters when there is time for a remembrance get together. Let me know if this occurs. Love that guy

Nicholas Gilbert

lehi, UT

I also had the privilege of working for Neil while he was at Hexcel. He would sit with me for hours just watching experimental equipment run and try to make tweaks and improvements. It was like he was watching the next greatest movie every time. He never tired or complained about long days. Whenever I had an idea and I pitched it to him hoping he would approve of my ingenuity I could tell he knew it wasn’t going to work, BUT he would let me do it anyway. Each time I stood in front of him to give a him a full debrief of the massive failure from my poor idea, I expected a “I told you it wouldn’t work” or “next time you’ll listen”. Instead he would put his hands together, look me in the eyes and say “we learn by doing”. This one liner changed my life. I wish we all had more time with him. He was a great man! My sincere condolences to his family. Jake Loader

Jake Loader

tooele, UT

I had the unique pleasure of working for Niel and I learned so much from him. He was very data driven with a sign posted in his office, "Without data, you are just another _ _ _ _ _ _ _ with an opinion". He made you want to find answers, figure out and correct problems and be the best. I for one will miss him so much. Thank you Niel.

LaRhea McBee

south jordan, UT

Brilliant man and a leader in our industry. My favorite Neil quote..."without data you are just another a__hole with an opinion."

joe paustenbaugh

liberty, UT

I considered Neil more than a physical therapy client but a friend. He had an amazing resilience from which I benefited. No matter how difficult the challenge, he seemed to take it somewhat in stride. Many times he spoke of the love he had for his daughters and grandchildren. While he bore his difficulties with patience, I am grateful that he is no longer burdened with his illness. Neil will be missed

Brett Thompson

west valley city, UT