HAHN, Harlan Dean 1939-2008

HAHN, TOLLEFSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/14/2010 at 14:37:43

#1:

Harlan D. Hahn, 68, professor of political science specializing in American and urban politics, died after a heart attack on April 23, 2008, in his Santa Monica home.

The USC College political scientist was a major force in the disability rights movement. An activist and leading authority on disability rights, and a faculty member in USC College for 35 years.

He wrote hundreds of articles and editorials about health politics and policies, criminal justice policy, and urban issues and politics for professional journals, books and major metropolitan newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times.

Born July 9, 1939, in Osage, Iowa, to Harold and Ada (Tollefson) Hahn, Harlan had an identical twin who died at birth and he grew up as an only child. His parents were teachers. At age 5 he contracted polio and spent the next six years in and out of hospitals. He entered school at 11 and used a wheelchair most of his life.

Before entering Harvard, Hahn earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He was a perpetual student, earning two additional master’s degrees — an M.S. in 1982 from California State University, Los Angeles, and an M.P.H. in 2004 from UCLA.

Hahn left USC in 2007. He had been writing his memoir when he died.

A memorial for Hahn took place on May 15 at 8:30 p.m. inside the craft room in Joslyn Park, 633 Kensington Road, Santa Monica. In lieu of flowers, donations may go to the Disability Rights Advocates in Berkeley.

Harlan had at least one child. A daughter, named Emily, said the following about her father: “My dad was a real fireball,” Emily Hahn said. “If I accomplish half of what my dad did in his life, I’ll be happy.”

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#2:

The Social Sec. Death Index says:

HAHN, HARLAN DEAN
born 09 Jul 1939
died 23 Apr 2008
age 68
res: 90402 (Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA)
SSN: District of Columbia 579-58-8162

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