James Christopher Hahn's Obituary
Born on Christmas Day 1945, it was an auspicious beginning for James Christopher Patrick Hahn. After his father's service in the Navy, parents Peter and Eileen McCarthy Hahn returned with their young family to Long Island to live in a community planned by William Levitt. There, James swam in the surf and sold sweets for a profit from his Radio Flyer wagon. From his early years, collecting historic tools and manuals was a special interest.
When James was 10, his father was moved by Sperry Rand to Gainesville, Florida to open their new plant. James made his way as a local, standing up in fights, learning to drive his father's XK120, and arriving with flowers gathered along the way to present to the mother of his date.
Graduating from GHS, James was offered football scholarships to notable universities, including the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, directed in the first year of Coach Doug Dickey. In his interview, James asked Dickey his intentions and he replied "to win the SEC in your senior year." James played defensive guard on the team that won the National Football Championship as well as the SEC during his senior year 1967.
Completing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, he found himself in a Management Training Course with his future wife, Susan Tate. Having lived in Hahn, Germany, she immediately recalled the translation of Hahn to rooster in English. Mr. Hahn later returned to Gainesville and his early summer employment in building construction. He soon flew to Knoxville to bring Susan to teach at the University of Florida for 35 years. Alongside was her black and silver German Shepherd Sieger who became their constant companion.
ln Gainesville, both went on to complete their Florida General Contractors Licenses and, for Tate, her Architecture License. Mr. Hahn practiced construction management in institutional and commercial buildings and in historic restoration. He then turned his practice to building forensics, determining the cause of building failures. Mr. Hahn served as a member of the Gainesville Code Enforcement Board.
During their working years, James and Susan were selected to lead the production and publication of the 2007 book Concorde for the U.S. Department of State, in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the George C. Marschall plan for Europe following WWII. Property of the United States government, the Talleyrand building is located in Paris on the Place de la Concorde.
In addition to their work, Mr.-Hahn and his wife spent part of 35 years on their 37 foot sloop Sieger, Sailing off the coast of Florida. They were sailing members of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
From their renovated mid-century home, James enjoyed entertaining friends for dinner in front of a roaring fire with James leading the laughter. James had learned early to make pasta from scratch. The meals generally consisted of six courses, often learned during travel.
Their interest in travel led them to make over 31 trips to Europe. Along with the many adventures, James skied the Hahnenkamm in Austria to celebrate his birthday. In addition to architecture, art and cuisine, his interest in music led them to travel across this continent. Mr. Hahn was a founding member of the Gainesville Center for Performing Arts.
Mr. James Hahn and his wife Susan enjoyed fifty and one half years of marriage, with fun-filled travel, sailing, skiing, historic architecture, cuisine, music, and mostly being together.
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