As Kathy Nielsen Havlik tells the story, she and Andy Hanson met in 1966 when they were both living in Montauk and they became high school sweethearts. They fell out of touch after Mr. Hanson graduated from East Hampton High School in 1968 and left for the Navy.
About five years ago, Ms. Havlik said, she asked Richie Nessel, a Montauk resident who had been the best man at Mr. Hanson’s earlier marriage, if he had ever heard from him. Mr. Nessel replied, “I’m pretty sure I heard he died.”