David P. Hansgen, 84, passed away peacefully at home on September 15th after a long illness with his wife, Betsy, and niece, Annie Wilson, at his side. He was the husband of Betsy (nee Antalics) and spent the past 43 years sharing their lives together. Born in Lackawanna, New York, he was the son of the late Arthur B. Hansgen and Margaret E. Phillips and stepson of the late Fred Ambuske.

He attended Hutchinson Central Technical High School known as "Hutch Tech" and was a graduate of George Washington University in Washington, DC. Dave enlisted in the Air Force in his home town of Buffalo, NY. He completed the Air Policeman course at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas in 1960 and served with the 3970th Civil Engineering Squadron, Strategic Air Command at Torrejon Air Base near Madrid, Spain.

After gaining experience as a draftsman during his military service, Dave moved to Washington, DC, and worked in the early stage of the Washington Metro (Subway) System, reviewing plans for its expansion. He continued his career with Deleuw Cather & Company, the engineering firm overseeing the Metro project and served as Manager of Contracts for projects around the country and then as Director of Administration.

In his early days in Washington, DC, he enjoyed skiing even taking the opportunity to ski in Norway. His favorite pastime was golf, always looking for a new course that could challenge him. He loved the trips he took with his wife to San Francisco and the vacations they had at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland, Lake Ossipee in New Hampshire and Plum Island in Massachusetts. And most memorable was the three week cross-country trip he always wanted to take.

He also treasured the time spent with his older brothers "Bobby Boy" and Art fishing on Kentucky Lake in Tennessee. But what was so special about Dave was that he didn't have to take big trips because he also enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: going to the movies, afternoon rides in the country, finding the many stables and the beauty of horses grazing and roaming in the pasture, stopping at farm stands or finding a new ice cream shop - always appreciating the area he lived in.

When living on Kent Island, MD, he loved summers when he could invite friends and family for his famous crab feasts and the times he took family members to the Wye River, renting row boats and doing the crabbing themselves. His many years in Washington, DC turned him into an avid Redskins fan until moving to South Jersey when he became an Eagles and Phillies fan. He loved the three dogs he had over the years and after they were gone, he always looked forward to taking care of his niece's two dogs when her family was away. He will be remembered by those who knew him for his love of family, his smile and friendly personality, his kind soul, quiet strength and generous spirit. He will be missed.

Survivors: In addition to his wife, Dave is survived by his daughter Christina Wadlin and husband Eric of Leesburg, VA, grandchildren Connor and Sabrina Wadlin, many cousins, nieces and nephews. His surviving sibling is Roger Hansgen and his wife Dianne. Also surviving him are sister-in-law Mary Ann Hoyt (Paul), brothers-in-law Bill Antalics, and Michael Antalics (Joelle). Preceding him in death was his older brother Arthur Hansgen.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 24th at 11:00 am at St. Ursula's Catholic Church, 1300 Broadway, Fountain Hill where visitation will be held at 10:00 am at the church. Interment will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery in Bethlehem. Dave's arrangements are entrusted to Cantelmi Funeral Home, Fountain Hill.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the

Alzheimer's Association at alz.org