Richard Allan '(Dick)' Hanson

Hanson, Richard Allan (Dick) Born July 11, 1934 in Grand Forks, ND to Elmer and Wanda Hanson passed away on January 26th 2016 at Little Hospice in Edina MN after a prolonged and courageous fight with Parkinson's Disease. Dick Hanson was a 1952 graduate of Grand Forks Central High School where he lettered in basketball and golf. After graduation he went to the University of North Dakota and earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics education in 1956. He continued at UND and earned his master's degree in 1960. On August 21, 1954 Dick married Phyllis Hanson also from Grand Forks. Dick's first teaching job was at St. Mary's School in Grand Forks, North Dakota, from 1952 through 1956. He taught math, coached football and basketball. He next taught at St. James High School in Grand Forks where he was an assistant football and basketball coach, as well as the head golf coach. In 1960, Dick arrived at Burnsville High School in Burnsville, Minnesota. He taught math from 1960-1992. He presented at many local, state, and national conferences on mathematics and taught graduate courses at the University of Minnesota and St. Thomas University. He insisted his classes included the spectrum of student's math abilities including developing curriculum for advanced math students so they could receive college credit. Dick was an assistant football coach from 1961-1968. In 1969, he became the head football coach at Burnsville, a position he held until 1993. He captured conference titles, section titles, and state championships. Dick won numerous teaching and coaching awards. Dick volunteered his time with hospice, homeless shelters and brought his sheet music into senior living to play the piano. They enjoyed summers with family, grandchildren (cousins week), and friends at their place on Whitefish Lake. They also enjoyed traveling with family and friends. He loved his role as father, grandpa, great grandpa; cherished his family; was comforted by friends; and continued teaching and coaching until his final days. Dick is survived by three children - Marty (Cheryl) Hanson of Eau Claire, WI; Stephen (Katherine) Hanson of Eden Prairie; and Karen (John) Tomes of Eagan; one brother, Robert Hanson of Montreal; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren mourn his loss, along with his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, mother, and father. Memorial Mass, 11:00 a.m. January 30, 2016 at Pax Christi Catholic Church, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie. Memorial visitation from 5-8 p.m. Friday at White Funeral Home (12804 Nicollet Ave) Burnsville and one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation, Fairview Hospice, or the Hanson Scholarship Fund. White Funeral Home Burnsville 952-894-5080 whitefuneralhomes.com

Published on January 28, 2016