PERRY O. HANSON JR.

PERRY O. HANSON JR. RIPTON - Perry Oliver Hanson Jr., a long time resident of Ripton, died peacefully on Jan. 30, 2010. He was born in Tai'an, China on Dec. 31, 1915. His father, Perry Oliver Hanson, and his mother, Ruth Stephenson Ewing, were Methodist missionaries from 1903 until 1952 in Tai'an, where they established a church, a hospital, as well as a school that survives and thrives to this day. Perry Jr.'s mother was a sister of Addison Independent publisher Angelo Lynn's great-grandmother, May Ewing Scott. Perry Jr. grew up in Tai'an (Shandong Province), which lies at the foot of Taishan, one of China's seven sacred mountains, and while on family sabbaticals (1919-1922; 1925-1928) in Iola, Kan., his mother's home. As a child he and other missionary children climbed the 7200 steps to the peak of Taishan and swam in the mountain's streams. He graduated from the North China American School, attended Yenjing University in Beijing (now Beijing University) for two years, and in 1937 completed college at the University of Minnesota, where his father had received his undergraduate degree in 1899. He completed his Bachelor of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1940 and was ordained in the Methodist Church. While attending Union Theological Seminary and volunteering at the Church of All Nations on the lower east side of Manhattan to work with Chinese youth, he fell in love with co-worker Kathleen Berry; they married on April 23, 1940. During the war years, Perry and Kathleen were separated while he served as a liaison officer coordinating communication with the Chinese and American armies in western China. At the end of the war, he joined UNRRA (the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Agency) in China; Kathleen and their son, Perry III, joined him there in 1946. In 1948, after a brief visit to the States, he joined UNICEF (the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund at the time) and for over 30 years, until his retirement, worked for UNICEF in the Philippines, Uganda, Pakistan, New York City, and Bangladesh. Throughout his life he maintained a staunchly ecumenical outlook, an abiding interest in world politics, an ongoing engagement in the study of China, an active concern for the well-being of children, and a deep commitment to international understanding. Ripton, Vermont became his anchor while he and Kathleen and their boys roamed the world. After the fall of China to communism in 1949, they endured two years of house arrest in Nanjing, China; they left China on May 1, 1951. On their return home, they purchased The Washington Cook farm in Ripton, which remains the center of their family's life. Here they settled into rural life, welcomed Timothy to the family in 1952, and pieced together a livelihood by preaching in the Methodist churches in Ripton, East Middlebury, and Middlebury and the Baptist church in Middlebury, raising chickens for eggs for the Boston market, fussing with horticulture as only he could, and serving as business manager at Porter Hospital in Middlebury. For the 30 years he worked for UNICEF, he and Kathleen returned to their place in Ripton whenever they could until they retired in 1975. For 14 years he and Kathleen enjoyed retirement together until her death in 1989; during this time he served as a Ripton selectman for several years and held other elected offices in town. He continued his horticulture, raising beautiful roses and peonies; his avid reading; his political engagement; and he became a great cook specializing in curries, which he shared generously with his family at weekly dinners. The sixth of seven children, Perry Jr. is survived by his sons, Perry Oliver Hanson III and Timothy Ewing Hanson, both of Ripton, and their families. In addition to his sons, his family includes Perry III's wife, Susan Easton Hanson, and Timothy's wife Diane Dunsmore; granddaughters, Kristin Hanson Martin and Meredyth Dunsmore; grandson, Erik Hanson; grandchildrenin-law, Bill Martin (Kristin's husband), Meg Hanson (Erik's wife), and David Harple (Meredyth's fiancé); and, great-grandsons, William Perry Hanson and Luke Ellis Hanson. Perry Jr. delighted in all children, but especially his grand- and great-grandchildren with whom he devised whimsical games and activities such as miniature golf by creating cups with pineapple cans sunk into the lawn. When driving became difficult, Jo Billings (Ripton) became his companion, allowing him to continue his ritual of visiting the Ripton Country Store daily to get newspapers, mail, peanut butter, and milk. Jo's affection, tenderness, and creativity made a huge difference to his well-being. When his mobility decreased further, he moved in with Shelley and Steve Robison (Bristol), who provided compassionate care for him with grace and dignity until his death. When his condition declined further, Addison County Home Health and Hospice provided hospice care. His family thanks Jane Kearns, who managed his care for many months, Juanita Hornbeck, and Ann Gibbons, who was there at the very end. The family is planning a remembrance celebration later this summer. Contributions in memory of Perry Oliver Hanson Jr. may be made to UNICEF or to Addison County Home Health and Hospice.