- Date Of Birth: March 31, 1943
- Date Of Death: May 27, 2021
- State: Idaho
Ronald Melvin Hanson, career radio professional, media entrepreneur, jazz musician, avid golfer, tennis and Scrabble player, passed away at the age of 78 on May 27, 2021. Residents in Wichita, Kansas, would recognize his voice not only from his radio career, but from the many voice recordings he did for various businesses in the area. His unique style, wit, talent and personality will long be remembered by his family and friends.
Ron began his career in radio as a part-time disc jockey at KRXK in Rexburg, Idaho, at age 19, while attending junior college. Through time his radio talents became more and more apparent, leading to full-time positions in production and management.
Ron was also a talented musician who played several instruments, but his first love was the saxophone. He played in many bands, starting at Idaho Falls High School with the Highwaymen. Music would play a vital role throughout his life.
Ron was born in San Diego, California, on March 31, 1943, while his father was serving in the Army (Air Force) and his mother worked in the airplane factories in San Diego. Shortly after his birth, Ron and his mother moved back to the Teton Basin in Idaho to be with her family. Ron grew up in Idaho Falls, and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1961.
After marrying Lynnette Pieper of Rexburg in 1962, they moved to Provo, Utah, so Ron could attend Brigham Young University. His son, Todd was born in 1962, and his daughter, Rebekka, was born in 1967.
In 1971, Ron began an almost decade-long journey traveling throughout the country playing music. He played in several jazz-rock bands throughout the 1970s, primarily Sunrise, which in 1974 opened for The Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Ron arranged much of the band’s music, played both alto and tenor sax, some keyboards and provided vocals.
In 1977, Ron settled in Wichita, Kansas, and returned to his radio career, working as a on-air personality for KAKE AM Radio. He also spent several years at KKRD FM and helped launch KXLK FM. In 1989 he started his own media company, Visual Communications, Inc., where he used his technical talents and unique voice to create a variety of promotional videos for local Wichita businesses, shooting and editing most of the films himself.
Ron continued in a variety of musical endeavours in the Wichita area.
Ron has gone on to join his parents, Sarah Jean Hansen Hanson Pettingill and George Melvin Hanson, his brother Scott DeLyn Hanson, and his sister, Joan Arleen Hanson Sykes. He is survived by his children, Todd Ronald Hanson and Rebekka Jo Hanson, and his brothers, Norman Wayne Hanson and Bradley Craig Hanson.
