Daniel Webster Henderson, Jr.
1926-2004
Dan Henderson was born, and lived, in the Los Angeles, Calif., area. He was the eldest of 9 children: 5 boys and 4 girls, and was of Scottish and Hungarian decent. His father was a Los Angeles policeman of 20 years, who raised his family in South Central Los Angeles. He married Libby Boyd and had three children, Roxane, Sean and Kim. 

Prior to being married, Dan served as a Marine in Hawaii. His service was unmarred and included a service award for conduct. He was honorably discharged. 

Dan and Libby moved to Panorama City, Calif., in the San Fernando Valley in 1957. He worked as a technician building the Douglas X-3 test plane, one of the series of planes that eventually led to the development of the NASA space shuttle. 

From Douglas Aircraft, he went on to work as a technician at Radioplane before beginning his company, Power Breeze, that developed and marketed plans to build homebuilt personal hovercraft. His business also included some consulting for various industries, companies and individuals. 

Dan had owned and flown several hovercraft, including two he built from his own designs. These craft were exhibited at local air shows. During family trips, some stops included visiting his colorful colleagues and competitors in the homebuilt and personal hovercraft industry. Not all of Dan's designs were built, though some models exist. 

Dan had many interests and pet projects, and at one point in 1981, he even ran for mayor of Los Angeles on a platform that included busing reforms and development of a hovercraft port in Los Angeles. His other interests included vintage cars and bicycles, photography, an unfinished film project, horse racing, and various engineering inventions. 

Dan most of all loved his family. He enjoyed taking the family on car trips, fishing trips, and to various southern California beaches. Some other trips included touring Alaska and going across the country to see the Olympics in Montreal. He was very proud to have his children all finish college. He loved his visits with his grandchildren and viewing videos of them sent from back east. 

Dan is survived by his wife, his three children, his two grandsons, one brother and and two sisters. For those wishing to express their condolences monetarily, monetary gifts may be made to City of Hope. 

Funeral and reception held 5/15/04.  His eldest son gave the eulogy.  Father Alexander performed the service.  A Marine guard performed the flag service, and presented it to the widow at the end.  In attendence were the widow and all the children, some cousins from both sides, the son of one of his colleagues, friends and neighbors.

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