Robert “Bob” Hansen, 87, beloved husband of Janet Waugh Hansen, died December 22, 2017 at Hartford Hospital.Bob was born October 28, 1930 in Exeter, New Hampshire, the son of Johannes and Ida (Skow) Hansen. He lived on farms in Maryland, Iowa, and New Hampshire before moving to Morris, CT in high school. There he met the love of his life and best friend, Janet. He graduated at the top of his class from James Morris High School, then graduated with honors from Central Connecticut State College. Following college, he served as a tank driver in the Third Armored Cavalry during the Korean Conflict. After his service, Bob taught history for 37 years in Wethersfield, served as head coach of boys’ tennis and assisted in cross-country and hockey. He was elected Connecticut Tennis Coach of the Year in 1968 and was thrice inducted into the Wethersfield Athletic Association Hall of Fame for coaching 20 years of winning tennis teams, including four state championships. For 40 summers, Bob organized and supervised one of the state’s top tennis summer programs with the Wethersfield Recreation and Park Department. While teaching, Bob managed to earn two masters degrees. Bob’s two greatest joys were playing sports and watching his children and grandchildren play sports in high school and college. Bob was a devout Bruins hockey fan; he rarely missed a game on radio or TV. In his younger days, Bob played semi-pro baseball, hockey, and tennis on the USTA New England circuit, and completed six marathons, including Boston three times. He enjoyed family ski trips in New England and Utah. Backpacking with family in the White Mountains was a favorite activity, as were hiking in national parks in the US and Canada, and trips to Scotland, England, and Norway.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Janet, three children: JoAnna Lemaitre of Boston and her partner Kenneth Shaffer; Mark Hansen and wife Linda of Newton MA; Holly Silliman and husband William of Windsor CT, and six grandchildren: Jennifer Watters and husband Marc; Rebecca Lemaitre and husband Timothy Malieckal; Amy Matthews and husband Ryan; Mikaela Cassidy and husband Nicholas; Tyler Silliman, and Alyssa Hansen. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call Friday January 5, 2018 from 4-7 pm at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd. Wethersfield.. A Memorial Service celebrating Bob's life will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11 AM at the Rocky Hill Congregational Church, 805 Old Main Street, Rocky Hill. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association 5 Brookside Dr. Wallingford, CT 06492 or the American Cancer Society 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT.,06067. To extend online condolences, please visit www.farleysullivan.com.