* John Van Hamersveld; Aerospace Engineer

John Albert Van Hamersveld, 85, an aerospace engineer, died April 18 at the Ventura Estates Skilled Nursing Center in Newbury Park.

Van Hamersveld, known throughout his life as “Van,” was born Sept. 13, 1915, in Philadelphia.

He attended Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, where he received degrees in mechanical and metallurgical engineering.

In 1942, while working for an aviation company, Van Hamersveld contracted polio and lost the use of his legs. He later designed special crutches to help him walk and controls to allow him to drive a car.

Van Hamersveld later attended UCLA, where he earned a master’s degree in engineering.

He worked for about 50 years for several aerospace companies before retiring in the early 1990s.

He and his wife moved to Thousand Oaks in 1975. He volunteered at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center, where he taught children how to build model airplanes. He tried to help kids develop an interest in aeronautics by showing them how to construct and fly paper airplanes.

Van Hamersveld was a fellow with the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineers.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty, son John and daughter Cheryl Van Hamersveld, all of Thousand Oaks, and four grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Aabbey Memorial Services of Ventura County in Thousand Oaks.

Ventura County obituaries are compiled by Linda Herron. They are published free of charge as a public service to readers, based on information provided by mortuaries.