Robert L. Hanson, 67

Robert L. Hanson, 67, passed away Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at HealthCenter Northwest in Kalispell.

He "officially entered this plane of existence" on Aug. 29, 1938, in Brainerd, Minn., thanks to his parents, Harvey L. and Margaret E. (Armstrong) Hanson.

His education began the moment he was born and, he would tell us, it continues today. He graduated from Laurel High in 1956 and attended every reunion he could get to. He attended and graduated from Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University-Billings). He later received his master's degree from MSU in Bozeman.

He married Laura Ehlen on Sept. 9, 1967, then took that opportunity to experience parenthood much to the honor of their two daughters, Sydney Marie Mandt and M'Kormick T. Hamilton (he was responsible for the names). Bob graduated from college with teaching degrees the same year that his younger daughter graduated from high school, and subsequently he came to Browning to teach. He recently retired to have more time to tell stories to his many fans and acquaintances.

He was an active Baha'i and served his community in Browning and the rest of the planet as an educator, entertainer and annual Santa.

"His voice lives on in the stories that he told so often that we all, by now, know them by heart. But no one can tell them like Bob."

Bob is survived by his wife, Laura Hanson, of Browning; daughters, Sydney M. Mandt and husband, Doug, of Seattle, and M'Kormick T. Hamilton and husband, Thompson, of Napa, Calif.; and three granddaughters, Andrea and Johanna Mandt and MercyJo Hamilton; brother, Allan Hanson, and wife, Bev, of Spokane; sister, Katherine Coffin, and husband, Danny, of Port Orchard, Wash.; an aunt, Betty Wismeyer, and husband, Ed, of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Bob will be held at 1:30 p.m. today, June 15, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel, with Keith Blanding officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be after services at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. There also will be a memorial service Tuesday, June 20, at the Browning High School Gymnasium at 4 p.m.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Robert Hanson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Browning Public School Administrative Office; Browning, MT 59417.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Robert's family.