Obituary, Richard Bert Hansen, 85

Richard Bert Hansen, 85, passed away June 20, 2016 in Palm Springs, California.

He was born in Cordova, Alaska on December 8, 1930 to Grace and William Hansen.

Richard grew up in Cordova and Juneau, Alaska loving sports, particularly basketball. His Juneau High School basketball team won the state championship in 1950. In his 20s his city league basketball team won the Gold Medal Championship and he was named MVP.

After serving in the Marines during the Korean Conflict he returned to Douglas and married Patricia Ann Balog in 1955.

He and his family headed to college in Bellingham where he earned a teaching degree from Western Washington University. Later he earned a Master’s degree from Penn State University. During his career in education he was a teacher, vice principal, and principal in Petersburg, Sitka and Wrangell. He coached basketball, cross country, track and baseball and served as President of the Alaska School Activities Association.

After retiring from education he worked for the Sealaska Corp. Some of his other jobs included fisherman, logger, fishing lodge handyman. For the past 25 years he traveled between Alaska and Palm Springs.

Richard is survived by his wife Patricia Ann (Balog) Hansen and his children, daughter Cathie (Jim) Strickland, grandchildren Jason and Tricia (Michael) (great granddaughters Ally, Emma), daughter Cindy (Jon) McGraw, grandsons Jon, Mitchell, Joshua (great grandchildren Hunter, Faith, Rowen, Joshua Jr., Maile. Son Richard B Hansen Jr. (Leslie) grandsons Adam (Tiffani), Kristofer (great grandsons Beckett, Maddox, Paxton) son John Hansen (Erin) grandchildren Renee, Kyle, Jeannette, Kory (Lindy), Haley, Lee (great grandchildren Grace, Rita, Landon, Sawyer, Jonah, Alyssa, Jacob, Natilie, Amelia, Phinely) son Ron Hansen (Cindy) grandchildren Destry (John), Casey, Ronnie, Annie, Donna, Sam. daughter Christie (Terry) Howard, granddaughters Amanda and Maddy. He was one of 12 children with two surviving sisters Mae (Hansen) Lange, and Gertrude (Treffers) Whitely and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Richard “itchy” Hansen Scholarship Fund to benefit young local athletes. Donations can be made at the Wells Fargo Bank.

There will be a military service at 2pm on Fri., July 15, 2016 at the Sitka National Cemetery, 803 Sawmill Creek Road, Sitka. Following the service there will be a celebration of life reception at the Sea Mountain Golf Course.