Kevin Hansel, a former California Historic Route 66 Association president and a longtime proponent of the Mother Road, died Monday after a lengthy illness. He was 64.
Hansel’s death was announced by his niece, Ashley Caceras, on the California Historic Route 66 Association’s page on Facebook.
“Kevin was a vital part of my life and he played a father role in my life. He was a wonderful and caring person,” she wrote in an email to Route 66 News.
“He was so passionate on his journey and findings on the Route and met so many wonderful people. I too had the pleasure of accompanying him on many journeys.”
Hansel wasn’t all that active on the internet, but he took the time to notify me regularly about Route 66-related stories in California.
A search on social media found this post from the Czech Route 66 Association in 2017, when Hansel managed Roy’s at Amboy, California, and the nearby post office.
(Image of Kevin Hansel during the 2003 Save-a-Landmark tour via the California Historic Route 66 Association)