Obituary of Richard LaVerne Hansen

Richard LaVerne Hansen b. March 23, 1932, Great Falls, Montana d. July 14, 2018, Green Valley, Arizona Survived by Edith (Hawkins) Hansen, wife of 61 years. Sister Janet (Gary) Logan. Sons James (Carolyn) and Stephen (Camille). Grandchildren Elizabeth, Andrea, Matthew, Isabella and Arianna. Proceeded in death by his father Harold and mother Thelma (Graybeal). Richard was born in Great Falls, MT and spent formative years during WWII listening to radio reports of the war effort while earning Eagle rank in the Boy Scouts. He was president of his class at Moorhead High School in Minnesota where he met his future wife, Edith. He Studied Chemistry at North Dakota State University (BS). He served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy before getting married and entering the University of Minnesota, receiving his PhD in Chemistry in 1960. Richard worked as a research chemist at 3M Company developing window films and other products. His interests continue to expand and he made a mid-career decision to pursue law, completing his JD at William Mitchell College of Law in 1975. As a patent attorney he worked for FMC Corporation, Penn State, Carborundum Corp. and kept a private practice, helping inventors refine and protect their ideas. Career moves took the family to West Chester, PA, State College, PA and East Amherst, NY. In 1997, Richard and Edith retired and relocated to Green Valley. Richard enjoyed sailing, gardening, drawing and listening to classical music. He had a lifelong passion for learning, from science to literature and art. He was an avid and lifelong reader of both fiction and nonfiction. He was fond of thoughtful debate around current events and often sparked lively discussions around the dinner table. He supported causes for education, veterans and the environment where his concern in later years was for protection of the world that his grandchildren would inherit. He will be missed - you betcha. Adair Funeral Home in Tucson is handling arrangements and a memorial service will be held the afternoon of Friday July 20 at the United Methodist Church of Green Valley.