Dennis Joel Hanson

Dennis Joel Hanson age 73, passed away at Redwood Memorial Hospital on December 08, 2014 with family by his side. Fortunately, his challenge with this sudden terminal verdict was met with brevity, grace and endless support from many who loved and cherished him. We were all blessed by being able to walk this path and last journey with him these past few weeks. Dennis was born May 20, 1941 in Jefferson, Iowa to Charles (Darwin) Hanson and Ruth Overvig Hanson. After graduation from Jefferson High School, he attended the University of Northern Iowa on a football scholarship, graduating with a teaching credential in 1964. Dennis earned his Masters Degree in School Administration at California State University, Sacramento in 1976. A loving son, father, husband, brother, papa, grandpa, coach, mentor and friend we will miss him dearly and we are comforted knowing that he is with us forever. He was devoted to and passionate about family, education, fishing, hunting, friendship and students of every age. Dennis left an indelible impression on every life he touched. Dennis will be especially remembered for his robust sense of humor and "fighting the good fight" on behalf of students in the public school systems. His career as an educator spanned 50 years beginning in 1964 as a teacher and coach at Rio Linda High School. In 1968 he accepted a position at Elk Grove High School where he taught multiple subjects while coaching championship varsity football and baseball teams and was promoted to Dean of Students in 1974. In 1980, he and his family moved to Fortuna, CA, where he had accepted the position of Principal at East High School. In 1981, Dennis became the Principal of Fortuna High School and assumed the District Superintendent position along with the Fortuna High Principalship in 1987. Dennis also taught several different courses at Humboldt State University for the Education Admin Program. At the time of his retirement, Dennis was the District Superintendent, District Business Manager and Principal of East High School. Dennis considered himself very lucky to have worked with some of the best teachers, staff, administrators and Board members in the State. Post-retirement Dennis began his private consulting proprietorship, Fundamental Solutions. He dedicated himself to multiple projects in the Humboldt County School District including substitute teaching and interim administrator at several elementary schools, Project Manager of Modernization at Scotia Elementary School and SARB Coordinator for the Eel River Valley. It was this role, as the District "truancy officer" that kept him most connected to education in a way he believed truly mattered most, working with at-risk children. He was fiercely devoted to his belief that every child must have access to quality education. Education solutions that engage with and allow kids to succeed one child at a time. Dennis belonged to several professional organizations including ACSA, WASC Visiting Committee (10 years), HDNL-CIF (President from 1990-92), Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity and several others. He received many awards and recognitions including North Coast Region Star Administrator 2000, Youth Educator Award, and special recognition for serving youth by the Fortuna Police Department. He was a member of the Fortuna Sunrise Rotary Club for many years, serving as President from 2003 to 2004. During his time with Rotary, he received the Service Above Self Award in 2001 and received his Paul Harris Fellowship. An avid sportsman, Dennis spent the first 20 years of life hunting and fishing the wooded rivers, lakes and streams in Iowa. During the remainder of his life, he hunted California waterfowl, deer and game birds. He spent long hours tying and casting flies into every river, brook and stream in Northern California. Purchasing his first sea faring vessel in 2005, he got his first taste of heaven. Ocean fishing out of Fields Landing for salmon and halibut was his delight. He taught many grandsons and other youngsters the art of successful ocean fishing. Dennis also enjoyed reading, cooking for his family and friends, watching Sunday football and the SF Giants kick butt. Preceded in death by his parents and his "girls", Boston and Panda, Dennis is survived by his daughters Kris Hanson (wife Debbie Dinelli), daughter Shari Kautzky (husband Tas Kautzky), daughter Morgan Hanson (fiance Arin McBlaine), Morgan's mother Sherry Hanson, and "Big Papa's" grandsons Owen and Ben Kautzky and Quentin McBlaine. Dennis is survived by his wife, Susan LeRoy-Hanson and her children, Brian LeRoy and "daughter" Leslie Crowley (husband Tim), and Sue's grandchildren, who loved their Papa dearly: Adrienne LeRoy, Max LeRoy, Travis Freeman, Trystan Lewis-Baum and Tanner Baum. He is survived by his sister Linda Murphy of Georgia (husband Danny), nephew and niece Jeff and Julie Barling. Dennis is also survived by his best friend, Leo Mack of Fortuna. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of Redwood Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, Dr. Xiang and Dr. Fratkin for providing quality care and support to Dennis. A big thank you too, to Leo Mack, for his unending help to this family during these last several weeks and his devotion to Den's well being. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Miranda's Dog Rescue in Fortuna, Dr. Michael Fratkin's Resolution/Pallative Care (resolutioncare.com), the Fortuna High Dennis Hanson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Fortuna High School, or the charity of your choice . Dennis wished to be cremated with his ashes spread in the ocean he loved so much. A private family service at Field's Landing will be held this weekend. A Celebration of Life will be held in Fortuna, CA after the first of the New Year. Relatives, friends, and colleagues are all welcome: the date, place and time will be announced at a later date.

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