Glenn Hanson Obituary

Spring Valley, Wis. – Glenn Hanson, age 87, died peacefully at his home from liver cancer on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, in the Township of Spring Lake, rural Spring Valley.

An artist, editor and journalism professor, he retired from the University of Illinois in 1988. He loved to travel with his wife, Dolores. Glenn recorded journeys and his daily life in his diaries and sketchbooks, habits he kept for more than 70 years. He was an avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast.

Born in Akeley, Minn., on April 10, 1921, he grew up in Wadena, Minn., and his family moved to St. Paul, Minn., when he was 10.

He and Dolores Merchant were married in 1950 in Minneapolis. They moved to New York City for several years before returning to the Midwest, where he taught typography at the School of Journalism at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in Journalism and his Master's of Arts degree from the University of Illinois.

While a student at the University of Minnesota, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. His parents had both died of the disease a few years earlier. The U. of M. School of Medicine was developing a cure for the disease, and through their treatment saved his life. In return, it is his wish to continue to help the U. of M. save lives.

He is survived by his daughter, Erica, and son-in-law, Carl Sauerissig of Spring Valley; two sisters-in-law; two nieces; and four nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Dolores and his brothers, Fulton and Wallace.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 23, 2008, at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie, Wis., with a Time of Remembrance held at 5:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Adoray Home Health and Hospice Care in Baldwin, Wis.

Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuenralhome.com.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services-Menomonie is serving the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News-Gazette on Dec. 20, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Glenn Hanson

9 Entries

Elizabeth Austin

August 28, 2009

A fine man and an extraordinary teacher whom I will remember with admiration, respect and affection for the rest of my life.

I recently got into a heated discussion with a colleague over a type face. And I thought: "Professor Hanson would be proud -- and he would agree with me."

Maurine Pacenta Taylor

February 4, 2009

If we learned nothing else in the College of Communications, we learned to "follow the copy, even if it flies out the window," and we remembered that Glenn Hanson taught us that. In my career as an editor, that advice has served me well. I treasure my MultiRules--two of them because I wore out the first. Thanks, Prof. Hanson.

Kevin Horan

December 31, 2008

What a remarkable guy and a terrific teacher. He had a huge impact on so many students--right, Miss Karbowiak? I think I may have enjoyed his J204 class almost as much as he did. I'll never forget him, and I'll be type conscious 'til my last day. Remember: "Anyone who would letterspace lower case would steal sheep."

Lizanne Poppens

December 30, 2008

Professor Glenn Hanson touched so many lives in journalism at U of I, including mine. I'll never forget his wit and wisdom, how to use a Multi-Rule, his "fur-lined composing stick," and the meticulous work he'd produce on his clamshell printing press down in the basement of Greg Hall. He was such a great teacher and such a great human being. I loved how he'd start out a critique: "Someone thought 'Wouldn't it be cute if (insert any goofy or egregious type placement here)...'" His favorite word: propinquity. And one of his great pieces of advice: Find something beautiful every day and really look at it for just a minute. It could be something as simple as a leaf or as complex as a piece of architecture. Doing this, he told us, will teach you, in the words of his friend and colleague Dick Hildwein, the art of "good seeing" and enrich your life. Much as Glenn Hanson did for so many of us.

Kathryn Jandeska

December 22, 2008

In many ways, Professor Hanson's teaching shaped how I practiced my career.

A true story: On the first day of class, Professor Hanson asked students to sit in the same seat for the first week so he could commit their names and faces to memory. Thereafter, he said, we were free to sit wherever we wanted.

Four years after I graduated, my younger sister became an Adv major at the U of I. She relished being at the Big U after life in a small town, where many knew her as my younger sister. Came her first day of class in Journ 204...Professor Hanson looked closely at her and said, "You have a sister..."

I am forever grateful to Glenn Hanson for his inspired teaching.

Harrison Church

December 21, 2008

A perfectionist, to his credit, Mr. Hanson was perhaps the leading light among many of my top-notch teachers at the University of Illinois journalism school. I had lost track of him since his wife died but for many years had exchanged Christmas greetings with this superb printer and teacher.

Marla Kahn Krause

December 21, 2008

I was just thinking about Professor Hanson when I recently found a poster I bought in Williamsburg, Va., many years ago that displayed type faces and fonts. It now hangs in my office at DePaul Univ., where I teach journalism. Mr. Hanson was a patient teacher and the face of the journalism department at the U. of I., along with Dick Hildwein, for many years. He will be missed.

Louis Liebovich

December 20, 2008

Glenn Hanson was a legend in the UIUC journalism department. Roger Ebert never failed to mention Glenn at public gatherings when he reminisced about his days as a student at the U of I. Glenn was the first person I met with when I came to interview for a faculty position in 1985. He taught 8 o'clock classes every day of the week and he never missed a class. We will miss him

Louis Liebovich
Professor of Journalism
University of Illinois

Betsy Hendrick

December 20, 2008

What a wonderful person. Fortunately I saw him a few years ago at a little gathering of retired college professors. I enjoyed his class in college and have many fond memories of Prof. Hanson. My sympathies to his family.
Betsy

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