Richard Thomas Hansen

Richard Thomas Hansen, 91, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2024. He lived a devoted Christian life as a member of numerous Lutheran Churches, with Faith Lutheran Church, Huntsville, TX being the most recent. Richard was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 29, 1932 to Margaret and Richard Hansen and was baptized at Chicago’s Siloam Lutheran Church. He attended 1st through 8th grade at a Lutheran Parochial School and then attended Chicago Vocational High School. While in his junior year, Richard enlisted into the Marine Corps and was called up to serve in the Korean War, obtaining his high school diploma while in the Marine Corps.

After the war, Richard was assigned to recruiting duty in Dallas, TX, which is where he met Audrey Joyce Rowzee while attending Zion Lutheran Church. They married in November 1954 and enjoyed 63 years together until her passing in 2018. Richard and Audrey had three children, Glenn David, born in Dallas, TX and Gail Jean and Gregg Alan born in Beaufort, South Carolina.

After Richard left the Marine Corps, they moved to Houston, TX where he worked at Van Waters & Rogers as an office manager. He later took a job with Gordon Kramer who was a home builder. In 1972 he bought one of Gordon’s companies, Klassic Homes, Inc., where he started his construction career. This is where Dick found his hobby. Besides building many homes and recreation centers throughout Houston, the project that brought him the greatest joy was building “The Landing Queen”, a Mississippi Paddle Boat on Lake Conroe. He dedicated the rest of his life building for others. In 1990 he sold the business to his son, Glenn, then went to work for the Texas District Lutheran Church as construction director of the Church Extension Fund, overseeing churches being built in the state of Texas. He completed his last project, at the age of 88, which was a house for a family in Waterwood.

After Richard retired from the Texas Church Extension job, he and Audrey moved to Waterwood and became actively engaged in the Waterwood community by serving on the Municipal Utility District board and in the Homeowners Association, played golf with friends and did a little traveling as well.

He is survived by his son Glenn Hansen and wife Gretchen; their children: Kyle and Kristina, his daughter Gail Hansen; her children: Michael, Megan and Melissa, his son Gregg Hansen and wife Sara; their children: Bethany, Brice and Bryan, his sister, Karen Jo’Anne Luckett and his brother James Edward Hansen and wife Marilyn. He is also survived by his four great-grandchildren: Samuel, Emily, Elaine, and Myles and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Richard Tvedt Hansen, his mother Margaret Roberta Hansen (Rice), his brothers Robert John Hansen and Fredrick William Hansen, and his Grandparents John and Josephine Rice and Theodore and Helena Marie Hansen.

Richard became a respected businessman, devoted husband and father, and a friend to many people. He was an inspiration to many, a mentor and an example of what a godly man should be. He was a giving, selfless and loving man. His family and friends were fortunate to be a part of his life and to be influenced by the way he lived out his Christian faith.

In recognition of the life and Kingdom work of Dick Hansen, the Texas District Church Extension Fund is offering a special dollar-for-dollar matching program of up to $5,000 for gifts made to Texas Partners in Mission before October 31, 2024. This matching program provides a unique opportunity to honor Dick's legacy while supporting the growth of God’s mission.

Gifts may be made by check payable to the Texas District, LCMS, with a note or memo indicating the donation is in memory of Dick Hansen. Donations can also be made online at https://txlcms.square.site/.

Every contribution will help extend the reach of the Gospel, continuing the work that Dick passionately supported.