- Date Of Birth: March 9, 1930
- Date Of Death: December 25, 2016
- State: New Mexico
Robert George Hansen, 86, of Silver City, passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2016, at the family home.
Mr. Hansen was born March 9, 1930 to Lloyd Hansen and Margaret Mahrer Hansen in Forman, North Dakota. He graduated from Forman High School and then attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul Minnesota where he ran track. Bob enlisted in the United States Army and served his country honorably from 1951 until 1953, with a specialty in Intelligence. He received his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of North Dakota and met his wife to be Gwendolyn Gigstad. They were married on December 22, 1956. Bob received his Master’s Degree at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, and his doctorate at Michigan State University. He taught geography at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. In 1970, the Hansen’s moved to Silver City where Bob worked as a Professor at Western New Mexico University until his retirement. Bob was also a successful Real Estate Broker and owned Grant County Realty in Silver City, NM. He was a longtime parishioner at St. Francis Newman Center and he loved to travel with his wife Gwen. Playing cards, especially Bridge, was a favorite pastime and he received the achievement of Life Master as a bridge player. He enjoyed watching various sports and supporting Western New Mexico University sports and also enjoyed gardening. For the last several years, after Sunday morning church, Bob thoroughly enjoyed brunch at the Gila Regional Medical Center cafeteria. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and was extremely generous and enjoyed helping others. Mr. Hansen will forever and always be in our hearts.
Bob is survived by his sons, Greg (Carla) of Bartlesville, Ok, and Kevin Hansen (Gaby) of Apache Junction, AZ; daughter Cathy Valles (Wilfred) of Socorro, NM; ten grandchildren, Brian Hensen (Shana), Sean Hansen, Brogan Hansen (Rex Rand), Jason Hansen (Vani), Valerie Larronoga (Simon), Angelica Gibbons (Joe Rodriguez), Robert Hartwell (Catalina), Trisha Teran (Dakota Brandon), Tristen Pichardo (Rick) and Brandon Valles; 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Also surviving him are his brothers, Richard Hansen (Linda) of Sacremento, CA. and Ray Hansen (Sandy) of Springfield, VA.; sisters, Charlene Zent (Howard) of Bismarck, N.D. and Margie Dahlen (Jadie) of Fergus Falls, MN; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Gwendolyn Hansen; his parents, Margaret and Lloyd Hansen; parents-in-law, Inga and Al Gigstad.
