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Old friend and '69 classmate Hans Helland sadly passed away on Saturday, May 28th, 2022 at the age of 70. He had been suffering from a brain tumor since last fall. Please include Hans's wife Catherine and their children William and Sarah in your prayers.
Hans Richard Frantz Helland was born to James "Jim" Helland and Patricia "Patty" Ford Helland in Beeville, Texas on September 26, 1951.
Hans graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1969 where he played Varsity Football. He then graduated from The University of Texas where he majored in Economics and subsequently completed an MBA. He also played on the Texas Longhorn Football Team throughout his tenure there, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, and was proud to play on the 1970 National Championship team with Darrell Royal. Hans was a lifelong Longhorn and loved supporting his alma-mater.
After college, Hans worked in NYC as a banker before moving back to San Antonio to work in his father's oil and gas company, Inland Ocean, Inc., eventually becoming president on the death of his father. He met his beautiful wife Catherine Morris through The German Club and they married on August 13, 1983. They were blessed with two children, Sarah and Will.
Hans was a kind and generous man, a caregiver, and was known for being hardworking, humble, and a good dancer. He loved animals and babies, and they loved him too.
Very generous with his time and talents, Hans participated in many clubs. He was a member of The Texas Cavaliers, The San Antonio German Club, The Order of the Alamo, The San Antonio Country Club, The Balcones Energy Library, and The Petroleum Club. He especially loved driving a barge in the San Antonio River Parade. He also spent many years following his passion for conserving and protecting the Edwards Aquifer by working on the Edwards Aquifer Water Board.
Always an avid athlete, he and Catherine worked out from the day they first dated to only months before he passed. They ran together, hiked together, aqua jogged together, and over the last years committed to daily spin workouts at Joy Ride Studio at the Pearl. They loved their Joy Ride community and will be forever thankful for the support they received there.
Hans loved his daily routines, especially going to Mila Coffee and getting lemonade and pastries at Larder.
Since October 2021, Hans battled an untreatable brain tumor, and due to the effects of the aggressive disease, was unable to accept visitors, much to our regret. He died at the age of 70 on May 28, 2022 in the comfort of his home in San Antonio surrounded by his wife and children who were his caregivers through his final illness.
His family is thankful for the support of many people including his doctors, his hospice nurses, his sister Sally Helland, sister-in-law Hannah Morris, and brother-in-law James Morris.
Hans was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Patty Helland and his father-in-law, Robert Morris. He is survived by his wife Catherine; his two children Sarah and Will; his three sisters, Sally, Suzanne, and Teresa; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held Friday, June 3, 2:00 p.m., at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 11 St. Luke's Ln, Alamo Heights, TX, 78209. The service will also be livestreamed. You may find the link within his obituary page at www.porterloring.com.
In his honor, please go buy a cup of coffee at Mila Coffee on Broadway, send a donation to St. Luke's Episcopal Church or another charity of your choice.
Please sign the guestbook and read more about Hans at porterloring.com.
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Jerry Wilson
Hans was a good longtime friend, high school football teammate, and roomate for 1 year at UT. You could not ask for a nicer guy and I look forward to seeing him on the other side some day.
RIP Good Buddy.!!!
Betsy Brewer (Chaffee)
I'm so sad to hear of Han's passing. Always smiling and always a kind word ❤️ I'll always remember being lucky enough to dance with him. I always told him what a great dancer he was. Thanks Hans for those memories ❤️ I'll miss you ❌⭕️ Betsy
James Franklin
Hans was a Great Friend ! We worked together in the summers unloading lumber out of train cars in the HOT 100 degree weather ! We also helped paint his parents house one summer.
Hans and his Dad took me to one of the Texas Football games and got to sit up in the Letterman's open glass area on the Home Side. Really appreciated the invite and we really had a Great Time !
Hans was a gentle sole and would do anything for you. And he was a Good Football player. When I tore my knee up in the Highlands Game of 68 football season Hans filled in for me at Defensive End the rest of the year and did a Great Job !
I want his family to know that we will miss him and that it was such an Honor to know him. And be able to work with him, play football with him and just hang out with him.
God Bless all the family and know we will all be praying for you !
James " Tiny " Franklin , Class of 1969
Robert Ogilvie
Oh my. I'm at a loss for words regarding Hans passing, but here goes. Hans was the person in our class that I admired most. Hans exemplfied the best in young men. He was a lion on the football field and a lamb off. Hans was smart and talented but always humble. He treated everyone with kindness and respect. I was even comfortable when he took my sister for a date. I am a better person due to Hans example.
Guy Bob Buschman
I did not know that Hans was so very ill. Hans was one of the best fellows you could have for a friend. He was a great High School Football team mate. He was a Southwest Conference Football enemy as he went to UT and joined their squad and I went to TCU and played there.
We had lots of adventures together - our best one was a trip to Hattiesburg, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana. One of my Dad's partners arranged for me to work out with the New Orleans Saints football team at Hattiesburg, MS and Hans had family friends in New Orleans, so we combined the journey. As I caught passes from Archie Manning, Hans worked out with linemen drills and then we went to New Orleans where his family friends were. And there was a gorgeous daughter who both of us loved. We then went to Bourbon Street, The Garden District, Pasquel Manallys restaurant, French Quarters and water skiing on the Bayous - with no ripples - was fantastic!
Hans and I hunted Deer at the Rowe Ranch many times and Dove at Mummes in Hondo.
Hans and his family were the founders of the San Antonio Ski Club. They led us on trips to Red River, New Mexico and Crested Butte, Colorado. In fact, they were some of the first condo buyers on Mt. Crested Butte and we stayed there many times. Hans was a terrrific skier, especially for a UT skinny lineman.
Hans honored Cindy and I by being in our wedding on June 15, 1994 in Dallas, Texas. A true gentleman - he will be missed.
Guy Bob Buschman
Guy Bob Buschman
correction to previous post
Wedding Date was 1974
Guy Bob Buschman
Bob West
Hans was a Stand - Up Guy, I always stood up and shook his hand when I saw him at Central Market / Fiesta etc. AMAZING he still had the same demeanor since High School. The only thing I can add about his athletism was I recall he had Shot Put skills on the Track Team. His funeral was yesterday, I usually avoid funerals and this time a good excuse was no Notice. RIP Brother RVW