The unshakeable embodiment of the absolutely positive, Richard B. Hansen shed his mortal confines on December 1, 2007 in pursuit of his next adventure. Father to 15, grandfather to 37, great-grandfather to eight, and all around patriarch Richard fashioned a life richly and graciously celebrated as student, light footed dancer, gardener, newspaper salesman, entrepreneur, real estate magnate, and special forces military commander. Active and energetic in all his pursuits, he graced those that knew and loved him with his charm, spirituality, enthusiasm, and whole hearted devotion to every person and endeavor he was engaged with. Richard's legendary dedication to the "Law of the Fast" is his contribution and legacy. When approaching the table of life are you hungry or full? Attitude shapes everything in life. After witnessing firsthand, unspeakable violence, deprivation, and starvation at the front lines in the Korean War, Richard committed his entire being to the full glass of life. Often to the amazement and consternation of those he shared his life with.
Richard was born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah January 8, 1929, his father passed away when he was only four years old. He graduated from North Sanpete High, Snow College and attended Utah State University. Beginning a distinguished Military career in 1947 in the US Naval reserve, he transferred to the 204th Field Artillery Bn of the 11th Armored Cavalry where he was activated and deployed to the Korean War in 1951. He then graduated from OCS and joined the original Special Forces, where he rose to the rank of Colonel. He retired after 33 years of courageous leadership and distinguished service. He was awarded many medals for his achievements and professional leadership.
As a civilian he forged a sterling 36 year career with the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News as advertising department sales manager. He was also a celebrated commander of a crack paper delivery squad of his children. Richard then began his 3rd career as a property manager where he provided quality homes for rent to many Salt Lake residents. Richard married Shirley Draper in 1955 and they divorced in 1975. He then married Chong JA Pak in 1980 divorced in 1984. Since 1984 Richard has been married to Donna Meek. Exhibiting the same unbridled enthusiasm in matrimony he brought to all his endeavors he collectively parented 15 children. He was an accomplished mentor and provider for his children who he developed with love, discipline, and devotion. Enforcing the mantra "prior proper planning prevents poor performance", Richard managed to successfully raise a large and very diverse group of children to adulthood and beyond. In life, he enjoyed active involvement in his church, travel, Glenn Miller, big band music, dancing, bacon and eggs, BYU football, and, astonishingly, Liberace. When asked how he was, Dick invariably replied "terrific!" or "If I were doing any better I'd be you". He described himself as weathering a rough patch while enduring the agony of the Leukemia that took his life. Richard was an extraordinary individual who lived a full and extraordinary life. Patriotic, humble, and devoted, the positive example he lived was a loving gift to us all.
Survived by his wife, Donna; children, Drew Hansen, Ben Hansen, Wendy Kroll, Melonie, (Alan) Snyder, Andrea Hansen, (Ryan Coomes), Darren Hansen, (Stephanie Wood), Dana Hansen, Becky Barber, Marjorie, (Phil) Ovard, John Meek, Ted, (Jessica) Meek, Michael, (Cigdem) Meek, Lori, (Andy) Metcalf. Preceded in death by children, DeEtte Hansen and Tom Meek.
We will proudly celebrate this amazing life with a Viewing to be held Tuesday, December 4th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Salt Lake Mortuary, 255 S. 200 E. Also at the Ward on Wednesday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral Service to be held at the Coalville LDS Chapel, 40 North Main Street, on Wed. December 5th, at 11 a.m.
Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant City Cemetery.
Published in the Deseret News from 12/2/2007 - 12/3/2007.
Richard was born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah January 8, 1929, his father passed away when he was only four years old. He graduated from North Sanpete High, Snow College and attended Utah State University. Beginning a distinguished Military career in 1947 in the US Naval reserve, he transferred to the 204th Field Artillery Bn of the 11th Armored Cavalry where he was activated and deployed to the Korean War in 1951. He then graduated from OCS and joined the original Special Forces, where he rose to the rank of Colonel. He retired after 33 years of courageous leadership and distinguished service. He was awarded many medals for his achievements and professional leadership.
As a civilian he forged a sterling 36 year career with the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News as advertising department sales manager. He was also a celebrated commander of a crack paper delivery squad of his children. Richard then began his 3rd career as a property manager where he provided quality homes for rent to many Salt Lake residents. Richard married Shirley Draper in 1955 and they divorced in 1975. He then married Chong JA Pak in 1980 divorced in 1984. Since 1984 Richard has been married to Donna Meek. Exhibiting the same unbridled enthusiasm in matrimony he brought to all his endeavors he collectively parented 15 children. He was an accomplished mentor and provider for his children who he developed with love, discipline, and devotion. Enforcing the mantra "prior proper planning prevents poor performance", Richard managed to successfully raise a large and very diverse group of children to adulthood and beyond. In life, he enjoyed active involvement in his church, travel, Glenn Miller, big band music, dancing, bacon and eggs, BYU football, and, astonishingly, Liberace. When asked how he was, Dick invariably replied "terrific!" or "If I were doing any better I'd be you". He described himself as weathering a rough patch while enduring the agony of the Leukemia that took his life. Richard was an extraordinary individual who lived a full and extraordinary life. Patriotic, humble, and devoted, the positive example he lived was a loving gift to us all.
Survived by his wife, Donna; children, Drew Hansen, Ben Hansen, Wendy Kroll, Melonie, (Alan) Snyder, Andrea Hansen, (Ryan Coomes), Darren Hansen, (Stephanie Wood), Dana Hansen, Becky Barber, Marjorie, (Phil) Ovard, John Meek, Ted, (Jessica) Meek, Michael, (Cigdem) Meek, Lori, (Andy) Metcalf. Preceded in death by children, DeEtte Hansen and Tom Meek.
We will proudly celebrate this amazing life with a Viewing to be held Tuesday, December 4th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Salt Lake Mortuary, 255 S. 200 E. Also at the Ward on Wednesday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral Service to be held at the Coalville LDS Chapel, 40 North Main Street, on Wed. December 5th, at 11 a.m.
Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant City Cemetery.
Published in the Deseret News from 12/2/2007 - 12/3/2007.
The unshakeable embodiment of the absolutely positive, Richard B. Hansen shed his mortal confines on December 1, 2007 in pursuit of his next adventure. Father to 15, grandfather to 37, great-grandfather to eight, and all around patriarch Richard fashioned a life richly and graciously celebrated as student, light footed dancer, gardener, newspaper salesman, entrepreneur, real estate magnate, and special forces military commander. Active and energetic in all his pursuits, he graced those that knew and loved him with his charm, spirituality, enthusiasm, and whole hearted devotion to every person and endeavor he was engaged with. Richard's legendary dedication to the "Law of the Fast" is his contribution and legacy. When approaching the table of life are you hungry or full? Attitude shapes everything in life. After witnessing firsthand, unspeakable violence, deprivation, and starvation at the front lines in the Korean War, Richard committed his entire being to the full glass of life. Often to the amazement and consternation of those he shared his life with.
Richard was born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah January 8, 1929, his father passed away when he was only four years old. He graduated from North Sanpete High, Snow College and attended Utah State University. Beginning a distinguished Military career in 1947 in the US Naval reserve, he transferred to the 204th Field Artillery Bn of the 11th Armored Cavalry where he was activated and deployed to the Korean War in 1951. He then graduated from OCS and joined the original Special Forces, where he rose to the rank of Colonel. He retired after 33 years of courageous leadership and distinguished service. He was awarded many medals for his achievements and professional leadership.
As a civilian he forged a sterling 36 year career with the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News as advertising department sales manager. He was also a celebrated commander of a crack paper delivery squad of his children. Richard then began his 3rd career as a property manager where he provided quality homes for rent to many Salt Lake residents. Richard married Shirley Draper in 1955 and they divorced in 1975. He then married Chong JA Pak in 1980 divorced in 1984. Since 1984 Richard has been married to Donna Meek. Exhibiting the same unbridled enthusiasm in matrimony he brought to all his endeavors he collectively parented 15 children. He was an accomplished mentor and provider for his children who he developed with love, discipline, and devotion. Enforcing the mantra "prior proper planning prevents poor performance", Richard managed to successfully raise a large and very diverse group of children to adulthood and beyond. In life, he enjoyed active involvement in his church, travel, Glenn Miller, big band music, dancing, bacon and eggs, BYU football, and, astonishingly, Liberace. When asked how he was, Dick invariably replied "terrific!" or "If I were doing any better I'd be you". He described himself as weathering a rough patch while enduring the agony of the Leukemia that took his life. Richard was an extraordinary individual who lived a full and extraordinary life. Patriotic, humble, and devoted, the positive example he lived was a loving gift to us all.
Survived by his wife, Donna; children, Drew Hansen, Ben Hansen, Wendy Kroll, Melonie, (Alan) Snyder, Andrea Hansen, (Ryan Coomes), Darren Hansen, (Stephanie Wood), Dana Hansen, Becky Barber, Marjorie, (Phil) Ovard, John Meek, Ted, (Jessica) Meek, Michael, (Cigdem) Meek, Lori, (Andy) Metcalf. Preceded in death by children, DeEtte Hansen and Tom Meek.
We will proudly celebrate this amazing life with a Viewing to be held Tuesday, December 4th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Salt Lake Mortuary, 255 S. 200 E. Also at the Ward on Wednesday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral Service to be held at the Coalville LDS Chapel, 40 North Main Street, on Wed. December 5th, at 11 a.m.
Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant City Cemetery.
Published in the Deseret News from 12/2/2007 - 12/3/2007.
Richard was born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah January 8, 1929, his father passed away when he was only four years old. He graduated from North Sanpete High, Snow College and attended Utah State University. Beginning a distinguished Military career in 1947 in the US Naval reserve, he transferred to the 204th Field Artillery Bn of the 11th Armored Cavalry where he was activated and deployed to the Korean War in 1951. He then graduated from OCS and joined the original Special Forces, where he rose to the rank of Colonel. He retired after 33 years of courageous leadership and distinguished service. He was awarded many medals for his achievements and professional leadership.
As a civilian he forged a sterling 36 year career with the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News as advertising department sales manager. He was also a celebrated commander of a crack paper delivery squad of his children. Richard then began his 3rd career as a property manager where he provided quality homes for rent to many Salt Lake residents. Richard married Shirley Draper in 1955 and they divorced in 1975. He then married Chong JA Pak in 1980 divorced in 1984. Since 1984 Richard has been married to Donna Meek. Exhibiting the same unbridled enthusiasm in matrimony he brought to all his endeavors he collectively parented 15 children. He was an accomplished mentor and provider for his children who he developed with love, discipline, and devotion. Enforcing the mantra "prior proper planning prevents poor performance", Richard managed to successfully raise a large and very diverse group of children to adulthood and beyond. In life, he enjoyed active involvement in his church, travel, Glenn Miller, big band music, dancing, bacon and eggs, BYU football, and, astonishingly, Liberace. When asked how he was, Dick invariably replied "terrific!" or "If I were doing any better I'd be you". He described himself as weathering a rough patch while enduring the agony of the Leukemia that took his life. Richard was an extraordinary individual who lived a full and extraordinary life. Patriotic, humble, and devoted, the positive example he lived was a loving gift to us all.
Survived by his wife, Donna; children, Drew Hansen, Ben Hansen, Wendy Kroll, Melonie, (Alan) Snyder, Andrea Hansen, (Ryan Coomes), Darren Hansen, (Stephanie Wood), Dana Hansen, Becky Barber, Marjorie, (Phil) Ovard, John Meek, Ted, (Jessica) Meek, Michael, (Cigdem) Meek, Lori, (Andy) Metcalf. Preceded in death by children, DeEtte Hansen and Tom Meek.
We will proudly celebrate this amazing life with a Viewing to be held Tuesday, December 4th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Salt Lake Mortuary, 255 S. 200 E. Also at the Ward on Wednesday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral Service to be held at the Coalville LDS Chapel, 40 North Main Street, on Wed. December 5th, at 11 a.m.
Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant City Cemetery.
Published in the Deseret News from 12/2/2007 - 12/3/2007.
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