George Kirk Hansen, of Hilltown Twp., PA, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Grand View Hospital, West Rockhill Twp., PA.  He was 79.

He was the loving husband of Carol (Smith) Hansen.  The couple had celebrated their 58 ^th Wedding Anniversary on November 28, 2021.

Born in East Orange, NJ, he was a son of the late George and Dorothy (Quinn) Hansen.  A 1960 graduate of Vinalhaven High School, Vinalhaven, ME, he attained his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from the University of Maine, Orono, ME, in 1964, and a Master's Degree while serving in the Army.

Kirk was a U. S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, enlisting in 1964 and then serving with the 1542nd Infantry Unit as a helicopter pilot stationed in Vietnam in 1966.  He continued his service with the Army for a total of 32 years, attaining the rank of Colonel.

During his Army career, Kirk served as Company Commander of the 79 ^th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM), Aviation Officer, Safety Officer and Flight Facility Supervisor.  He also served as Commander of the 31 ^st Combat Aviation Group, Battalion Commander of the 228 ^th Aviation Battalion and Brigade Commander of the 9 ^th ARCOM's 2076 ^th Medical Brigade.

He was employed as an airline pilot by Eastern and United Airlines for 32 years until retiring in 2002.

On May 1, 2022, Kirk was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for continuous exemplary flight operations for over 50 years.

Kirk attended the Pleasant River Chapel, Vinalhaven.

In addition to his love for flying, Mr. Hansen was an avid reader who especially enjoyed trips back to Maine where he was a member of the Woodcock Cassie Coombs American Legion Post No. 18, Vinalhaven.  A professional sports enthusiast, he was a former season ticket holder of Philadelphia Eagles Football as well as a dedicated fan of Philadelphia Phillies Baseball, Boston Red Sox Baseball, and Boston Bruins Ice Hockey.  He will be remembered by all who knew him as a family man and a hard worker.

Surviving with his wife are two children, Erik G. Hansen, of Quakertown, PA, and Kirsten Hansen Cherneskie and her husband John, of Pottstown, PA; five grandchildren, Johnnie, Kirk, Kylie, Julianna and William; and four sisters.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Kyle Hansen, in 2002, two brothers and two sisters.

His Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at the Bernard Suess Funeral Home, 606 Arch Street, Perkasie, PA, where family and friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Woodcock Cassie Coombs American Legion Post No. 18, P. O. Box 91, Vinalhaven, ME  04863-0091.