Martin Hanson, 81, a prominent Wisconsin conservationist who helped preserve the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, was found dead Wednesday outside his cabin in Mellen in northern Wisconsin. He had been in poor health and apparently had fallen and broken his hip.
The heir to a Chicago furniture manufacturing fortune, Hanson lived most of his life on the estate his father purchased for recreation. Martin and his late brother, Louis, were prominent Democrats known for entertaining politicians with food, drink and the great outdoors.
Hanson was the tour guide for President John Kennedy when he visited the Apostle Islands in August 1963 as U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson pushed to designate them as national parkland. Congress passed a bill creating the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in 1970.
Today, the 21 islands in the park are often called the "Jewels of Lake Superior." Considered one of the most pristine parks in the nation, the Apostle Islands are a popular destination for camping, fishing, swimming and photography.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Whitey Herzog, who managed Cardinals vs. Twins in 1987 World Series, dies
Official who helped MSHSL on pioneering ventures dies at 89
Former 'KQRS Morning Show' prankster Lee Siegfried, aka Crazy Cabbie, dies at 55
Richard Serra, who recast sculpture on a massive scale, dies at 85
