We are getting ready to head out for The Run in Memory of Hans!  It's tomorrow.  We are so pleased with how it is coming together.  Thank you Beth, Carmen, Michelle, Ginger Charon and all of our friends working so hard on making it special.  Thanks Tracy for ordering Team Hans shirts!

Here's another speech.  Uncle Quinn gave this talk.

Hans had a great smile that could light up the room. It was infectious and genuine.

Hans loved all animals. His ability to connect with them was extraordinary. It didn’t matter if they were the cats or dogs, horses or cows – he wasn’t afraid of them and they sensed that he was going to be kind to them. He was gentle and loving with them all. And all of his medical experiences made him the best little vet tech when any of his animals need their own medical attention.

He loved to ride on his Grandpa Dale’s shoulders to go feed the horses. He loved to ride the horses too. He would tell Grandma Kathy she could ride Pepper and that he would ride Zippy and Ellie would ride Eddie. He had it all planned out.

Hans was the bravest person that we know. He endured so much and rarely complained about anything. Usually he was the one reassuring us that everything was ok.

Everyone wanted to know Hans. He was a role model for all of us – teaching us courage, strength and love. It made you feel special just to be a part of Hans life.

He was fearless! Everyone was amazed by his jump off the boat dock roof! And he loved riding in the go-kart with Ellie – she wasn’t as protective as mom or dad and would go fast with him!

All of us would be jealous of what was on Hans' food tray. He always had a full tray! At any time you could find chicken, cow steak or ham steak, chips & salsa & a bowl of cheese dip, his special brand of chicken noodle soup or spaghetti tacos – all the good food groups!

Hansie gave the BEST love pats. If he gave you a hug you always got that special little bonus of a love pat on the back. They were the best!

Hans had a strong sense of right and wrong. You DO NOT climb over the fence by the canal to pick the lemons. Only the worker men can be over there!
Hans loved to tease! This past summer when Grandma Kathy and Aunt Debbie were visiting, Aunt Debbie made the comment that the fireman at the beach were pretty cute. Hans told her that she was married and she shouldn’t be looking at the fireman. If she didn’t stop looking at the fireman he was going to have to tell Uncle Mark. Well, she kept running into the fireman or fire trucks during that visit and Hans kept warning her that he was going to have to tell on her. Finally, he solved her problem for her. He told her “Fine! If you want to be married to a fireman then Uncle Mark can just go get a job to be a fireman!” We’re still waiting for him to get his uniform!

Hans had the mind of a little engineer. He was the best transformer and Lego builder. We had a big container of transformers left over from Kevin and my days and Hans put them together without any of the instructions – just the pictures. His Lego building skills were hands down the best! It was always our challenge to find a set with enough pieces to make it a true challenge for him. Once he started a new set, he didn’t stop until it was done.

Hans took after his dad – he loved playing video games and had the game skills of someone way beyond his age. He loved the games that he could play with someone rather that playing against them.

Ellie wasn’t the only family member with a strong fashion sense. Hans had his own fashion style! His signature look was always PJ’s and his black Behr brand hat. He told Grandma Kathy that you only had to wear clothes when you went to school but he even broke that rule.

Everyone loved experiencing things through Hansie. We loved when he got to do ‘kid’ things.
We loved that he had so much fun swimming with the fish in Hawaii.
We loved whenever he got to go to school – even if it was just for a few hours. We loved when he got to take riding lessons or swim lessons.
If he grilled you dinner – it was the best!

Hans taught us all to live for today and not worry about the ‘little things’ or tomorrow.

He taught us not to whine about things.

He never felt sorry for himself and neither should we. He taught us that it’s not all about us – we need to be compassionate and giving to others.

He taught us about strength, courage, bravery, trust and love.

He was everyone’s HERO.

Thanks, Q!  He loved you too.