age 87 of Sunset Hills, MO passed away on Friday, July 8th after a long battle with COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. He was the first son of Ernest R. Hansen and Estella M. Hansen. He had 3 siblings, Marion, Ron and Tom. They called him Sonny.
He is survived by his wife Sharon Hansen, son Craig (Diana), daughter Kim, granddaughter Danielle and step grandchildren Kyl, Shad, Brittany and Arron.
Bob served his enlistment in the United States Army from 1954 to 1962. Afterwards, he attended UCM-University of Central Missouri and SEMO Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, where he met his wife, Sharon. They married on August 4th, 1962 and built a home in Sunset Hills on the family land. Shortly afterwards, he re-enlisted in the United States Army Reserves.
In addition to serving his country, Bob worked as a teacher in the Affton School District for over 30 years. He retired from the Army Reserves in 1988 as a Lieutenant Colonel, and from teaching in 1991. He also served on the Board of Adjustment for the City of Sunset Hills for 25 years.
Bob had a love for antiques- furniture, cars, and firearms, as well as horses and animals. He and Sharon would often make trips to “hunt” for antiques and their home is an exhibit of their finds. Bob and Craig shared the passion for cars and often restored them together, talking for hours on end about what to do with each prized item and how it should be assembled. Kim took on the passion of horseback riding at an early age, and both she and Craig carry on their loves of these hobbies today.
Bob was a dreamer. He spoke often of building a small cabin in the mountains of New Mexico, living a simple life off the land, and of course, panning for gold. He loved piloting airplanes and earned his pilot’s license. His love for geology drove him to teaching the subject of Earth Science for many years, followed by teaching industrial arts. During his years of teaching, he touched the lives of many young kids as they made their journey through school. As time passed, Bob or a family member would often run into a previous student from years back and hear how he made a difference in their lives because he took the time to show them how to do things and make things with their hands. He was a skilled craftsman.
Bob was also known for his sense of humor, and for humoring others. To this day, he remains a legend for the many uses of masking tape. Whether it was something that needed to be held together or labeled, or not, masking tape was the answer. His daughter and granddaughter, Dani laugh about this often because anything with masking tape on it is called a “Grandpa”.
Condolences may be extended in person to Sharon and the family at Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Rd. Affton, MO 63123 on Monday, July 18th from 10:30am until funeral service time at 12:30 pm., Interment at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery with full Military Honors.
Sharon, Kim, Craig & families, My & my family’s deepest condolences on your/our loss of Bob. He was a good friend from our days at SEMO until the end. Although distance had separated us physically, we would always enjoy getting together whenever the occasion presented itself. My children have told me how much they thought of him and always enjoyed those times when they could be around him. Words seem so terribly inadequate at times such as this but hopefully you may gain a bit of comfort by just knowing that I/we care and are with you in sympathy & friendship.
Sharon, Kim, Craig & families, My & my family’s deepest condolences on your/our loss of Bob. He was a good friend from our days at SEMO until the end. Although distance had separated us physically, we would always enjoy getting together whenever the occasion presented itself. My children have told me how much they thought of him and always enjoyed those times when they could be around him. Words seem so terribly inadequate at times such as this but hopefully you may gain a bit of comfort by just knowing that I/we care and are with you in sympathy & friendship.
Rest in peace Mr. Hansen