IRVINGTON—Hans Richard Ulander passed away on January 9, 2018, in Irvington at the age of 90.
Hans was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on January 11, 1927, the son of Carl Richard Ulander and Ester Blomqvist Ulander. After completing a bachelor’s and a master’s in electrical engineering at Stockholm Technical Institute, Hans served in the Swedish Air Force as a radar instructor.
After completing his duty with the Swedish Air Force, he decided that opportunities in the United States were far better than in the social democratic environment in Sweden and subsequently immigrated to the U.S. in 1949. He settled in Chicago, Ill., where he met his future wife, Patricia Ann Nelson.
In early 1951, Hans entered the U.S. Army where he served in Special Forces, working in Psychological Warfare Operations. While serving on active duty, Hans and Patricia married in September 1951. Following his Army service, Hans and Patricia settled back home in Chicago to raise their family which grew to three sons.
Hans worked for Motorola Corporation in Chicago for several years where he worked on high speed information transmission, before accepting an engineering position with IBM in 1961. Over a 33-year career at IBM, Hans rose through the technical and management ranks with a focus on satellite communications; including government classified programs relating to presidential emergency operations. His IBM career took the family to New York, Maryland, North Carolina, back to Maryland, to Stuttgart, Germany, and back to Maryland again.
Hans and Patricia were dedicated sailors and enjoyed many years sailing on Chesapeake Bay on their boats Miss Muffett and Aqua Vitae. Following his retirement from IBM, Hans and Patricia relocated to Fort Myers, Fla., to enjoy year round sailing. In 1998, after 47 years of marriage, Hans lost his beloved wife Patricia to brain cancer. Following her death, Hans returned to the Washington, D.C., area to be close to family and resided in Chantilly.
After moving north to Virginia, Hans met Irene Reed who shared his love of sailing. They married in 2000 and lived in Wicomico Church before relocating to Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington.
Hans is survived by his three sons, Mark (Belle) of Moneta, Brett (Lisa) of Fleming Island, Fla., and Craig (Cathy) of Mount Airy, Md., seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and by his wife, Irene Reed-Ulander of Irvington.
A celebration of life will be held by his family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
