Col. Richard H. Hansen

1922 - 2010

Col. Richard H. Hansen, US Army retired, widower of Alice Strandberg Hansen, died Tuesday. Dec. 7, 2010, at Sommerby of Mount Pleasant. H

e was born on June 29, 1922 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Reuben H. Hansen and Hazel Davey Hansen. After graduating from the University of Utah in 1943 he was commissioned in the Army and served as a field artillery officer in the European Theater during World War II. During his military career he served in the Far East, Alaska, Europe and throughout the United States.

While in the service he earned a masters degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. His assignments included for the U.S. Commander, Berlin and as Editor-in Chief of the Army Digest, the Army's official magazine. His awards included the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters. Col. Hansen joined The Citadel faculty in January 1971 after retiring from the Army. At The Citadel he taught English and journalism courses and edited college publications. He retired from The Citadel in 1984.

He was an avid gardener, skier and master chef and traveled extensively throughout the world with his beloved late wife of 54 years.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Sommerby of Mt. Pleasant for all of their love and care shown to Col. Hansen.

He is survived by his children, Jeri Calhoun and her husband Guignon of the Isle of Palms, Karen O'Neill and her husband Robert of Arlington, Va., and Craig Hansen and his wife Penny of Summerville; a sister, Bettie Luke and a brother, Robert W. Hansen, both of Ventura; five grandchildren, Stephanie Alice Cordray and her husband Jacob, Mary Elizabeth O'Neill and her husband Sanjay Narayan, Samantha Jean Witt, Kathleen Muir O'Neill, and Megan Burke; one great-grandson, Kari O'Neill Narayan.

A private burial with full military honors will be held at Beaufort National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beacon Hospice, 786 Johnnie Dodds Blvd # C Mount Pleasant, SC 29464-3047.

Online condolences may be sent to the Hansen family via www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements by MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC; 843-884-3833.