Richard Paul Hanna Sr.

Richard Paul Hanna, Sr., of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away peacefully at home on May 1, 2025, with his loving wife at his bedside. He was born November 29, 1936, in Akron, Ohio, to David T. Hanna (a Lebanese immigrant) and Julia (Thomas) Hanna and was the 10th and youngest child. He grew up with eight older sisters who doted on him and spoiled him rotten. Richard was known as “Dick” to his friends and “Richie” to his family. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Los Angeles and Dick graduated Hamilton High School in 1955; and attended Santa Monica Junior College briefly before transferring to UCLA, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration.

In 1961, Dick began work with Sylmar, a small family-owned plastics company in Los Angeles where many products were manufactured, including side panels for Winnebago motorhomes. The company was bought out by Southern Oil of Ohio and later sold to British Petroleum. Dick rose through the ranks and was the Director of Procurement, responsible for negotiating and purchasing train cars of various petroleum and petro chemical products. He was known as a fierce negotiator who was never afraid of walking away from the deal. Many a car dealer and realtor in Southern California can also attest to Dick’s skills at driving a hard bargain where he usually came out on top. He retired from British Petroleum in 1991 at the age of 54 having spent 30 years in one job. The decision to retire was made easy when the company initiated a move to Jonesboro, Arkansas. The die-hard California boy refused to move, which was probably in his best interest as well as the best interest of the State of Arkansas which was not ready for the likes of Dick Hanna. He was a force to be reckoned with!

In 1990, Dick met the love of his life, Celinda (Cindi) Ward and the couple subsequently married and resided in La Quinta, California and Indio, California before relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2019. They traveled the world meeting many people who ended up life-long friends and travel partners. With his bigger than life presence and personality, Dick never met a stranger and loved being the life of the party.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, and many more friends and relatives; and a step-grandson, Taylor Dean, who always held a special place in his heart and who he spoke of lovingly often. He is survived by his loving wife, Cindi, of the home; an amazing daughter, Melinda Bates of Sacramento; a son, Rick Hanna of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren: Matthew (Cynthia) Bates of Elk Grove, California; Maegan Bates of Redding, California and Chelsea (Jared) Plott of Las Vegas. He is also survived by great-grandchildren: Natalie Bates, Joseph Bates, Hanna Smith, Olivia Plott and Hadley Plott. Dick has two surviving older sisters: Shirli Kabana of Rolling Hills Estates, California and Wanda Monfredo of Canoga Park, California; and is also survived by five step-children: Eric (Britta) Dean of Missouri; Lana (Randy) Litchfield of South Carolina; Jarrod (Vicki) Dean of Washington; Slade Dean of New Mexico and Ashley Dean of Nevada.

A private graveside service will be scheduled and is under the direction of Palm Mortuary Boulder Highway location in Henderson, Nevada. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Nathan Adelson Hospice Care in memory of their patient, Richard Hanna, for the excellent and loving care Dick received at home from their care team. Instructions for donating can be found on their website at NAH.org.