Obituaries

Russell Hanson, retired highway engineer

Russell Edward Hanson was born January 4, 1937, to Ronnel Edward Hanson and Louise Virginia Fuchs Hanson in Sacramento, California. After a two-year battle with leukemia, Russell passed away at the age of 80 on August 1, 2017.

Russell graduated from Sacramento High School and attended Sacramento City College and U.C. Berkeley. He served in the United State Army where he was renowned for his expert marksmanship. Russ retired from Caltrans in 2000 after 43 years of service as a highway engineer.

Russell enjoyed his retirement, spending time with his friends, family and his dogs. He was passionate about cars, could fix any broken parts or create his own out of his three-car garage where he kept his many tools.

Russell shared his life with Mary Elizabeth Hanson for the past 30 years. They traveled the world, including Hawaii, Africa, and Europe.

Russell is survived by Mary Elizabeth Hanson, stepson Heath Charamuga (Katrina) and stepdaughter Mary Ellen Hall (Scott McFarland) and by his five step-grandchildren, Drake, Reagan, Dylan, Devan and Rhett. Additionally survived by his sister, Karen Polli and nieces Michelle Polli and Lisa Benbow and nephew John Polli. He is also survived by his former wife, Judy Ann Spilman. Russell was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Kari Kathleen Hanson.


Paul Inman, maintenance supervisor

District 3 Maintenance Supervisor Paul Inman was killed August 8 in a fatal collision on his way to work.

District 3 Maintenance Supervisor Paul Inman was killed August 8 in a fatal collision on his way to work.

District 3 Maintenance Supervisor Paul Inman was killed August 8, 2017, as the result of a fatal collision on his way to work. Paul was 42 years old and a 16+ year District 3 Maintenance employee. He proudly served as a Caltrans Honor Guard in the early days of that program. He is survived by his wife of 22 years Jennifer, 19-year old son Hunter and 16-year old twins Taylor and Austin. He also leaves behind his siblings Brian Carson, Tyler Inman, DJ Inman and Dawn Boyle; mother and stepfather Laura and Gene Carson; and his father and stepmother Dave and Michelle Inman.

Anyone interested in making a monetary donation to Paul’s family do so through the Paul Inman Memorial Fund through the California Transportation Foundation or through the Paul’s Go Fund Me page.

CTF Paul Inman Memorial Fund: www.transportationfoundation.org/donate 
Paul Inman Go Fund Me page: Gofundme.com/paul-inman-memorial-fund

Checks can also be made payable directly to Paul’s wife Jennifer Inman and sent to Treva Wilson, Deb Beaudry or Rebecca Markowich at the Caltrans District 3 Executive Office at 703 B Street, Marysville, CA 95901. Donations will be collected and delivered directly to Jennifer at her home.

A racing event scheduled for October 18th at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico will include a memorial lap to pay tribute to Paul for his many years of involvement and love of the sport.

 

 

 

 


Clarence Klassen, retired senior maintenance superintendent

Clarence George “Chuck” Klassen was born March 13, 1930, in Ganado, Arizona, and passed away in Solvang, California, on May 16, as the result of a fall.

After attending school in Los Angeles, Chuck joined the Navy and served on the aircraft carrier Valley Forge. He married his sweetheart, Barbara Nyenhuis on Feb. 18, 1955. He loved Barbara very much and was melancholy when he could no longer care for her himself and she was moved to a dementia care facility. He visited her nearly every day even though she did not always recognize him.

 

Chuck was a natural mechanic and loved to tinker on anything with an engine. He had a lifelong passion for motorcycles and always had at least one “bike” (and usually more) in the garage. He worked at a motorcycle shop before he began his career with the California Division of Highways (now known as Caltrans). Klassen took his work at Caltrans seriously, and his diligence helped him go from a highway equipment operator to the senior maintenance superintendent for the Santa Barbara area. His Caltrans career took him and his family all over California. During his career, they lived in Bellflower, Santa Ynez, Fortuna, Eureka, and Goleta. Chuck eventually retired from Caltrans but still felt the need to work, so he went to the road maintenance division of Santa Barbara County Public Works in Santa Maria. Chuck and Barbara Klassen loved living in Santa Maria, where they made many friends.

In 2013, with the help of his daughter and son-in-law, Klassen moved to Solvang to be close to Barbara's care facility. In Solvang, he was known in the neighborhood as someone who was always willing to lend a hand. He was all of the things that a Christian man should be – generous, helpful, loyal, and humble. He loved the Lord and was active in his church wherever he lived. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his two children, Tim Klassen and Peggy Kelly; their spouses, Sherry Klassen and Rick Kelly; and his two grandchildren, Dawson and Davis Kelly.


Richard James LeBeau, retired chief bridge engineer

Richard “Dick” James LeBeau born in 1933 in Westboro Massachusetts and died June 18, 2017.

Dick graduated Connecticut University and moved to California in 1957. He joined the California Division of Highways and worked from 1957 to 1963 in Bridge Construction. He retired from Caltrans in 1992 after 34 years and as a Chief Bridge Engineer of all of bridge design in. Dick was competitive, plus talented and won bridge design awards from trade associations and corporations.

He raised six children with his wife of 61 years. He was dedicated to his family and community and was involved in many community organizations. He was inducted into the Little League Hall of Fame for being instrumental in the Northridge Little League. He is survived by his wife, 6 children, 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, a brother and a sister.


Hardie Massengill, property manager

Hardie Massengill

Hardie Massengill

Hardie Massengill died May 3. He was born Sept. 14, 1949, to Vernal Massengill and Elneatha Bryant in Marlin, Texas. 

He, his two brothers, and parents moved to Denver, Colorado before landing in Long Beach, California, where Hardie attended Franklin Jr. High School and then Long Beach Poly High. There, Hardie excelled in football and track. He broke the school’s records for the 50-yard and 100-yard dash – and his record still stands to date. He also met his future wife, Elaine Knowles, in high school. After acquiring an associate degree, Massengill transferred to the University of Arizona on a track scholarship. He and Elaine married Aug. 14, 1971, and had three children: Temira Denay, Chellon Niccole and Kevin Meshawn.

Hardie was known as “Easy” because he had to be reminded to “take it easy” due to his passion for everything he did. He took great pride in himself and his work ethic.

He created his first track team while working for Lynwood Parks and Recreation, and also coached two women’s softball teams. He held Tuesday night bible studies and taught Sunday school at St. John Missionary Church, where he’d been a member since 1974. He even started the church’s first softball team.

Hardie worked for Caltrans in districts 7 and 12, where he eventually retired as Property Manager in Dec. 2014 after nearly 36 years of state service.

He was preceded in death by his father, Vernal; mother, Elneatha; and brother, Bobby. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elaine; daughters Temira and Chellon; son, Kevin; brothers Terry and James; sister-in-law, Mary; grandchildren Dominic, Jaylen, Zacherey, Kayna, Zhanaya, Jeremiah, Samara and Kevin; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.


Deborah Cecilia Meyers, retired senior right of way agent

Deborah Cecilia Meyers

Deborah Cecilia Meyers

Deborah Cecilia Meyers died June 9, 2017. She was born on April 15, 1956, in Los Angeles, California, to the late Deones and Muriel Meyers. Deborah was the fourth of seven children and spent her formative years in Compton, California, where she attended St. Albert's the Great Elementary School and graduated from Regina Caeli High School.

In 1978, Deborah graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a degree in political science. Following graduation, she became one of Caltrans’ first female African American Right of Way Agents. She worked in the Los Angeles office for 12 years before being promoted to Senior Right of Way Agent in Santa Ana, California.

Deborah had a successful 37-year career with Caltrans and worked on several major transportation projects in Southern California. Throughout her career, Deborah also completed numerous continuing educational courses at the University of California and Caltrans. She was also a licensed California Real Estate Broker.

In 2015, Deborah retired and committed herself to helping her family and community. She regularly attended Sunday services and actively participated in fundraising activities for the Catholic Church. Deborah loved to travel, shop with her friends and attend home decorating events. Her greatest love, however, was reading and discussing political issues with her friends and colleagues. Deborah was a loving and caring sister and a devoted friend. Her love of life was infectious to anyone who came in contact with her. Deborah was kind, compassionate and truly loved and admired by all who knew her.

Deborah was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Damon Meyers. She is survived by her five siblings, Deones E. Meyers, Anthony E. Meyers, Angela Meyers-Avery (George), Danette E. Meyers and Arnold E. Meyers (Sean). Deborah also leaves her longtime friend and confidant, Wayne Harrold and a host of cousins and friends.


Irwin Schulman, retired senior attorney

Irwin Schulman was born June 1, 1934, and died August 11, 2017, when he peacefully passed away after a short battle with pneumonia.

Irwin was born to Charles and Edna Schulman (Cohen) and was a native of New York. He first came to Los Angeles in 1949, and he attended Fairfax High School.

Irwin graduated top of his class in 1960 at the UCLA School of Law and quickly became a respected senior attorney serving for 50 years with the Caltrans Legal Division.

Irwin was proud and supportive of his children Lisa and Aaron, and he loved great music, opera and art, frequently attending shows and museums around the world. Irwin will be remembered for his generosity, acute ability to get a deal, his sense of humor and his kindness.


Peggy Unruh, retired draftsperson

The late Peggy and John Unruh, who were draftsmen for the Division of Highways (now Caltrans), are pictured here with a model they made of the Santa Monica/San Diego Freeway Interchange.

The late Peggy and John Unruh, who were draftsmen for the Division of Highways (now Caltrans), are pictured here with a model they made of the Santa Monica/San Diego Freeway Interchange.

Photo courtesy of Caltrans Transportation Library & History Center

Peggy H. Unruh died May 17. She was born Jan. 12, 1920, in Marysville, California, and grew up in Sacramento and Oakland. She graduated from Grant High School in 1938. For 50 years, she was married to John T. Unruh, who passed away in 2005. The couple lived in southern California for many years, where they were draftsmen for the State Division of Highways – now known as Caltrans. There they designed several of the area’s freeway interchanges. Peggy and John Unruh built models of freeways as a hobby and earned a “Superior Accomplishment Award” for their work on the Santa Monica/San Diego Freeway Interchange. They built a model of the interchange with their own time and money and donated it to District 7, where it was put on display.

Peggy retired after 35 years with the state. She had many hobbies and interests, including painting, hunting, sewing and golfing. During the mid-1940s, she took flying lessons and earned her pilot’s license. She helped her husband build two of their homes over the years.

Peggy was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Wyman; mother, Ruth Wyman Dent; brothers John and Jack; and sisters Olive Tebbets and Vivian Muston Schnell. She is survived by step-sons John Jr. and Donald; and many nieces and nephews.