Johann ‘Hans’ Altona

SAN DIEGO — There are few places in the world that Johann “Hans” Altona did not see. After retiring from the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department as a civil engineer, he and his wife of 62 years, Diane, ran a successful travel/tour company, bringing groups to the Netherlands, other parts of Europe, and ultimately through Central and South America, Asia and Africa. The Altona Ambles tours particularly frequented Indonesia, where Hans started his life.

Born to Barend and Hilda Altona in Poerwokerto on the island of Java, Dutch East Indies on December 26, 1931, Johann enjoyed a tropical island childhood, raised a variety of animals and attended school until he and his family were placed in concentration camps by the Japanese in World War II. Hans was separated from his family, at 12 years old to spend the remainder of the war in slave labor, felling hardwood trees, and caring for the sickly camp occupants. Decades later, Hans was able to show some of his family the exact spot where he had learned that the war was over and that he was free.

Hans’ family sailed as refugees to the Netherlands when Indonesia gained its sovereignty. He finished school, served in the

December 26, 1931 - January 5, 2021

Dutch army and worked as a shipbuilder. In Holland, he developed his love for the ocean and boats. In his early 20’s he gained sponsorship to emigrate to the U.S. where his sister Irma and her husband William were part of the Salvation Army. Hans was immediately drafted into the U.S. Army, despite having served in the Dutch military. He drove tanks, and with assistance from his commanding officer, began the process of becoming a citizen.

Johann met his wife, G. Diane Brown, in Cleveland, Ohio in a rooming house where they each had rooms. After an intimate wedding ceremony, they left the midwest cold for California; originally planning on L.A., but on their minister’s tip, decided on San Diego. They fell for the city’s charms and put down roots on the edge of town in Kearny Mesa, and remained in the same

house for 60 years. Hans worked as a draftsman for Convair and took night classes at Mesa College, while creating a lush backyard of fruit trees watered entirely with a rainwater and grey water system-- No small feat in a desert climate.

Laid off from Convair in the 1970’s, Hans secured his job with the County, in which he surveyed open areas and created maps of parks, including those of Lake Jennings, William Heise and the Quail Botanical Gardens. Mr. Altona walked three and a half miles each way daily to work, then exercised religiously each evening. He and Diane were involved in square dance groups, then became leaders in Walkabout International. By the time Hans retired, they had established a walking tour company, bringing groups of their friends throughout the world to walk and hike, bike, bus and sail. Hans also was famous for leading a grueling hike through the Mission Hills neighborhood each Sunday. Until his early 80’s, Hans could out-walk most people decades younger than himself. He and Diane traveled with their offspring throughout Western Europe, through Java, Bali and Borneo, Indonesia and into China. Hans, despite his horrific experiences under Japanese occupation, taught his children to have compassion for all people, in fact, entering them in judo, where they learned to appreciate Japanese culture.

Mr. Altona volunteered as a docent in Old Town San Diego, creating the expansive herb garden still there. He volunteered at the Embarcadero, and in San Diego International Airport, helping tourists to San Diego County destinations. Hans relished being near the ships and bay, meeting fellow world travelers, and continuing his exercise, even as Parkinson’s Disease began taking its toll.

Johann Altona passed away January 5th, 2021. He was preceded in death by his younger brother Reinder, younger sister Marijke and daughterin-law Jeri Lindberg. He is survived by his wife G. Diane Altona, his children Erick Altona, Chris Altona and Lynette Brossard and daughter-in-law Lyn Heller-altona all of San Diego County, his elder sister Irma Steen of the Netherlands, his grandchildren Tori Altonaspoerner, Bryce Altona, Christopher Austin, Aaron Altona, Rachael Heller, Sarah Heller and his four great-grandchildren, many of them living within a few miles of his home in Kearny Mesa.

Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com