Hassenger, Ralph J. 1898-1981

HASSENGER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/12/2014 at 09:52:17

Pioneer Aviator Hassenger Dies

Sioux City, Ia.

A prominent pioneer Iowa aviator, Ralph J. Hassenger, 83, died Saturday in Sioux City after a long illness.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church here.

Mr. Hassenger was active in Sioux City finance, aviation, real estate, insurance and automobile businesses for more than half a century.

He was one of Iowa’s oldest active airplane pilots and flew his own airplane until 1979.

Mr. Hassenger personally greeted famous aviators when they visited Sioux City during the 1930’s, including Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. He was a charter member of the “OX-Five” Club, a group of pioneer aviators who meet regularly.

From 1936 until 1939, he was operator of the Rickenbacker Airport at North Sioux City, S. D. ~ The Des Moines Sunday Register 22 Mar 1981.