James W. Hensel's Obituary
James W. Hensel died peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2015 at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida with family by his side. He was 85.
Born June 12, 1929, in Auburn, Iowa, to William J. and Ruby M. (Egenes) Hensel, Jim graduated from Auburn High School in 1947. He served the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan from 1951-1953. In 1954, he married Lois L. Moll, who remained the love of his life to the very end.
After earning his Ph.D. at Iowa State University in 1962, Jim taught at the University of Wisconsin for three years. His next career role was associate professor and agriculture education specialist at the Center for Vocational Education at The Ohio State University. He moved to Gainesville in 1969, where he served as professor and chair in the Department of Vocational, Technical and Adult Education at the University of Florida for five years, and as Professor, Educational Leadership for 22 years. During his tenure at the University of Florida, he directed 65 doctoral dissertations to completion. He retired from the University of Florida in 1996.
Throughout their lives, Jim and Lois loved to travel. Together, they visited all 50 states in the U.S., all provinces of Canada, toured Europe and China. Their 58-year marriage was an inspiration to everyone who witnessed their love, friendship, support and appreciation of one another.
Lois died in 2012. Survivors include daughters Susan Burnell (Bob), Houston, Texas; Sandra Austin (Fred), Orlando, Florida; Sharon Fling (Stephen), Orlando, Florida; son Steven, Gainesville; grandchildren Ryan Burnell; Ryan and Connor Austin; and Eric and Lauren Fling; brothers Roy, Art and Harold Hensel; sister Marcia Miller, and many nieces and nephews.
The Hensel family thanks every dear friend, neighbor and colleague whose kindness truly made a difference; and extends a special note of appreciation to Comfort Keepers' caregiver Vickie Paugh; and the staff of Haven Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored to have gifts made in Jim’s memory to Haven Hospice or a local community organization.
“Celebrate every day,” was Jim’s life-affirming message. Friends are invited to attend a memorial and celebration of his life on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street, Newberry, FL 32669.
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