Kenneth Russell Hanson

Kenneth (Nick) Russell Hanson, age 80, of San Diego, California, passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Dr. Kenneth and Elisabeth (Betty) Hanson. He lived in Cincinnati until after his father passed away, then moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico with his mother. He and his mother eventually relocated to Racine, Wisconsin, where she married George Gates, Sr. in 1958.

In 1965, Ken graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in physics and math. In 1966, he enlisted in the Navy and served for four years. After his naval service he settled in San Diego. Before he retired in 2005, Ken was a technical writer for Hughes Network Systems.

Ken is survived by his wife, Patty, and his daughter, Stephanie. He was predeceased by his father Kenneth B. Hanson, mother Elisabeth Gates, stepfather George Gates, Sr., and by his siblings Billie Byron and George Gates, Jr.

A visitation will be held on December 21st between 11:30 and 1:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4741 Mount Abernathy Ave., San Diego, California. Afterward, a committal service will be held at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr., San Diego, California. To attend this service, please arrive at the cemetery by 2:00 pm.

Memories and expressions of sympathy for the Hanson family may be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com.

Highlights of Ken’s Life

Ken had many interests throughout his life: boating, windsurfing, square dancing, traveling, investing, gardening, and birding.

Ken enjoyed boating and water sports. In college he had a boat and would take his nephew and others waterskiing. In 1971, he crewed on a 36 foot sailboat from San Francisco to Hawaii and back, where he co-navigated their route (before GPS).

For many years Ken windsurfed. According to a windsurfing club member, in the eighties “he was instrumental in growing the sport by volunteering his time and equipment to teach at ‘Learn to Windsurf, Bring a Friend’ events.”

Ken square danced and clogged. He danced locally with the Single Spinners and served for a time as president of the club. He also traveled to square dances. One fateful dance convention was in Alberta, Canada, where he met Patty who would become his wife in 1998. After their daughter Stephanie was born, she joined them on the dance floor, carried in a front pack.

Ken was so happy to become a dad (at age 57). Activities they enjoyed together included preschoolers in the park, library story time, and creating mazes for each other to solve. He was always considerate of her opinions and tried to fulfill every wish. He was proud of her decisions and achievements. She has been a joy in his life.

Ken enjoyed traveling and planning those trips. He loved visiting new places and would thoroughly research his destinations, often including windsurfing, square dancing, children’s museums, or American Volkssport Association events (10K walk) on the itinerary. Ken visited very state and did a 10K in each capital city.

He was kind, caring, and loyal. As his mother aged, she became more confused and forgetful. She moved to San Diego where he cared for her until she passed in 1995.

Ken was a valued member (and sometimes treasurer) of an investment club for over 25 years. He researched and analyzed companies helping the club to make investment decisions.

In his later years, Ken enjoyed gardening and birding. He would start tomatoes from seed and then share the plants with friends and neighbors. He especially loved eating and sharing his home grown tomatoes. After his stroke in 2015 he took bird identification classes and went on birding field trips. He was a life-long learner.

Ken was a good man. He was a loving husband and father. Adventurous, thoughtful, generous, honest, smart, appreciative, and funny. He will be missed.