Dr. Gary Ralph Hansen

Gary was born on April 29, 1940 in Mitchell, South Dakota and died on February 2, 2024 in St. Louis, MO peacefully surrounded by his family. He was the son of Ralph Hansen and Amanda (Bremer) Hansen. He married Barbara (Marshall) on January 3, 1977 in Scottsdale, AZ. He was raised with his twin sister in South Dakota. He went to the South Dakota School of Mines majoring in chemistry and later achieved his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Iowa. He was a synthetic organic chemist employed by Monsanto which brought him to St. Louis in 1969. He worked there for a few years until he left to start his own business, Hansen’s Hut, living out his dream of working with rocks and minerals. He worked the mineral show circuit and was a staple at many shows; including the famous Tucson Gem & Mineral Show. He was influential in the mineral business and became a leader that many other dealers called for advice and direction. His business thrived and renamed Hansen Minerals gradually transitioned into the gemstone and jewelry business. He travelled to Europe, Asia, Africa, and throughout the United States to obtain numerous fabulous gemstones and jewelry creations. Gary was intricately involved in the sale of one of the famous Fabergé gemstone eggs, The Winter Egg in 1994.

Gary loved to collect beautiful objects; including photographs, paintings, sculpture and other artistic creations. He and Barbara supported the arts, and he served on the board of the St. Louis Art Museum in the 1980’s for two terms. A collection of their photographs were exhibited at the museum. Gary loved to travel, and he and Barbara were regulars at the Maui Prince Hotel in February for years. He shared stories with his family about these trips about how much he enjoyed walking on the beach and watching humpback whales with Barbara. They also went to Europe for buying trips to France, England, Belgium and Germany creating lasting relationships with people around the world. He was an expert about many things but also listen to you while you were engaged with him to make you feel like you were a key part of the conversation. It may be an overused cliché, but Gary will truly be missed, and he was “One of a Kind”. He is survived by his wife Barbara; sons Benjamin (Tonya Witmer), Matthew (Natali), Michael (Susan), and Jonathan (Manuela); grandchildren Christian, Nicholas, Garrett, Tessa (Matthew and Natali); Graham, Taylor, Phillip, Adam (Michael and Susan); and Richard and Emma (Jonathan and Manuela), and many great grandchildren as well. He is also survived by his twin sister Marjorie Delzell (Wally), nephews Daniel and David, niece Deborah and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, many aunts and uncles. Gary was adamant that he didn’t want a funeral. A celebration of life will occur later in 2024 in St. Louis, MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice, should you desire.