Neil Raymond Hansen (81) of Barrington, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Born on March 17, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois. Son to Raymond and Ruth, brother to Karen and Reid, loving father to Carrie, Amy, and Lindsay and a devoted grandfather to Tei, Annabeth, Theodore, Callan, Jonathan, and Shay.

Neil was hard-working and dedicated. He spent over 35 years working as a Plastic Injection Molding Engineer, where he was known for being progressive in his thinking, disciplined, and innovative. Despite his many responsibilities, he always made family a priority and time for his passions, especially in retirement.

Though Neil may not have liked being the center of attention, he deserves to have his long years of fatherly and grandfatherly love honored. He was a man of deep love and devotion for his children and grandchildren, generous with his time, and his family's biggest cheerleader.

His hobbies and interests helped define who he was. Neil loved spending time with his grandchildren. He watched most of them two days a week from birth until it was time for them to go to school and filled their memories with time spent at museums, parks and libraries. He loved woodworking. He built beautiful clocks, desks, tables, end tables, and beds. He also loved volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and was a part of a wonderful crew that he enjoyed spending time with. He took pride in this work and would often share stories about this work with his family. He was a lifelong learner, often learning the newest and latest technology, and he loved reading (especially anything Jack Reacher). He was passionate about making sure his children had vacation memories. The family spent summers together on road trips and going camping. This time filled their lives with memories they will never forget. From five of them sleeping in a jam-packed mini-van because their tent came down in a rain storm in South Dakota to singing their way through his favorite Beach Boys cassette tape on road trips to standing for picture after picture in front of (what felt like) every geyser in Yellowstone. He was a die hard sports lover, especially the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, and he never missed any of his three daughters' games, even when they were in year round sports. In retirement, he could often be found on the sidelines of one of his grandchildren's sporting events or in the audience of one of their performances.

We find comfort in knowing that our dad is at peace and his legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared, and the memories we will cherish forever.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Monday, January 26 for a 5:30-6:00 visitation and a 6:00-7:00 service at Little Home Church 32W128 Army Trail Rd Wayne, IL. 630-584-4013.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Habitat For Humanity of Northern Fox Valley [Address:  Habitat of Humanity of Northern Fox Valley 56 S. Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120  Website: habitatnfv.org] a cause close to Neil's heart.

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