John E. Hirten — leader in urban planning

John E. Hirten, who had a long career in urban and transportation planning and was the first executive director of the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association, known more commonly as SPUR, died at his San Francisco home on Sunday. Mr. Hirten, who had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, was 90.

He had a major role in transforming SPUR from what The Chronicle called “a moribund” organization into a “vigorous and outspoken agency for citizen participation and education in planning.” On Mr. Hirten’s watch, SPUR had major roles in creating the Bay Conservation and Development Commission; in transferring the state-owned Port of San Francisco to city control; and in local transit projects, including BART and the Market Street subway.

Mr. Hirten came to San Francisco to become SPUR’s director in 1959 after a stint as redevelopment director in Stockton. He left the association and San Francisco 10 years later to serve as executive director of San Diegans Inc., which advocated for public transportation in San Diego. He later became deputy administrator for mass transit in the U.S. Department of Transportation and was director of transportation for the city of Honolulu. He returned to San Francisco in 1991 as head of Rides for Bay Area Commuters. He retired in 1998.

Born in Brooklyn in 1925, Mr. Hirten served in the U.S. Army in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in public administration. He then went to work for the federal government and served for some years with the U.S. State Department in Iran.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mina Malaguti; three children, John of Corte Madera, Marc of Fairfield, Conn., and Giovanna Scruby of Yountville; and 11 grandchildren. A memorial service was scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco.