Hetland died Wednesday when he was struck by a car while riding a bicycle with a group of friends along La Tuna Canyon Road in Sunland. The driver of the vehicle that hit Hetland did not stop, said Stanley Coutant, his friend and colleague at PCC.

Hetland was 65.

He had retired from PCC in 2007. Hetland taught various courses, from electronics to applied algebra, throughout his 32 years at the college.

"He was appreciated by students," said Douglas Haines, dean of engineering and technology at PCC. "He went the extra mile for students."

His two passions, friends said, were cycling and amateur radio. Hetland participated in the RAGBRAI cycling event, in which thousands of cyclists bike across Iowa. He also participated in tour rides through Los Angeles-based cycling clubs, friends said.

Described as a quiet, reserved and pleasant by colleagues and friends, Hetland was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pasadena.

He was responsible for many duties at his church, including preparing the programs distributed to the congregation, the church's collection and the ushers.

Arden Albee, a church administrator, said the congregation is devastated by Hetland's death.

"He was a very private person," Albee said. "Everyone has warm memories of him."

Hetland graduated from PCC in 1963 and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from UCLA.

He was resident of Altadena.

Pasadena Star-News (CA) - March 7, 2008