Lyle W. Hanks

I was so sorry to hear about Mr. Hanks passing. I prayers are with the whole family.
Sue (Jenkins) Witbeck

We will miss Mr. Hanks...3/4 of my school years were under his supervision in some form or another. I will never forget the M&M dispenser on his desk in Sr. Highschool and the many discussions about the importance of staying in school we had while I sat in his office. He was a one of a kind person.

When you miss your Father and you need for him to be with you, I want you to do what I did when my Dad died. I looked up at the Big Dipper* and saw that there were three stars in the handle and I named the middle one for my Dad, and anytime I need him....or just anytime I'm outside at night, or I think of him, I look at that star, and I whisper his name and I feel him right there with me. Lyle will be with you forever...all you have to do is whisper his name in your heart,, and he's right there ,,beside You..........Roger Swedlund

Roger Swedlund here, You Dad saved my life after our homecomming game i got a concussion an stopped breathing, My Hero, Mr. Hanks gave me mouth to mouth an im here today , my kids and their kids are here today, only because your Dad wasnt afrade to do CPR on me...
Me and Mine share your pain..
Swede ; roger swedlund..

Mr Hanks was a friend of our family ever since I could remember, I will always have very fond memories of him. My prayers go out to Laura and the whole family.

Coach Hanks was a great person even he gave you that Look! He was a fair man who really care about you. Saw him at the All-School Class Reunion this fall had a great talk. RIP

Larry Herrmann
Naples Florida

Dear Hanks Family - wow, a coaching legend has passed. I had the privilege of playing football under Coach Hank's leadership. His physical appearance was intimidating, his command voice frightening but he had a heart for developing young men, turning them into solid (tax paying, LOL) citizens. He was also a wonderful neighbor and community leader. Rest in peace Coach Hanks !

Remembering the good times the three coaches had. Hanks, Bombach and Krueger from a photograph we have.

Laura and family, words con not describe how sad I am for your loss. Lyle Hanks was one of the most honest and respected men I have ever known. I feel so fortunate to have known him and all of you. What a tremendous family and legacy he has left in this world. I thank you Laura for all the times you supported him and how the two of you always made me smile. God Bless you all. Jerry Martin

Laura and Family~
I have so many fond memories of My Dear Lyle. He was like a second Dad to me. Our families spent summers together at the Lake and we were fortunate enough to share our Spring Breaks with them in Vero also. Our deepest sympathy to you Laura and your family. May you find strength in each other and hold dear the legacy that Lyle left you all with. Dad and Lyle are now together again and Im sure catching up on some wonderful times. Together they have eternal life and will continue to watch over some pretty special people still here on earth. Thinking of you all and praying for your comfort.
Love and Big Hugs to all~ Jeff and Julie(Olson) Gorman and Family

Curt and I, along with our family, send our deepest sympathy to a man who was highly respected and admired as administrator,, coach, and mayor...St Louis Park is a better place for Lyle's having served the community as coach, adminstrator, mayor...Out sincere sympathy to all your family..Curt and Ramona Pearson.

Condolences from the brethren of the Minneapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.

Laura and family,
May your memories of Lyle always bring smiles and cheer to you as Lyle brought to so many. My thoughts and prayers are with all of youl

To the entire Hanks family,

Our deepest sympathy for your loss of such a great man. Although he was a close friend to our family, he was always there with his wise words and keep me in line when I made those visits to his office in high school!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lundquist Family

Many will remember Lyle as coach, teacher, mayor or chairman of the board. I am honored to say that Deb & I will remember him as our good friend. Lyle has treated us with kindness and respect and we are thankful for the many years that we had the privilege of knowing him. "Hey Neighbor" we will miss you.

Thank you Coach Hanks for your firm, take-no-prisoners attitude on the football field followed by your warm good humor off. I still remember the bear-hug you gave me after the Hopkins Lindbergh game in 1974. RIP

Lyle was our friend and neighbor at our lake home and our condo for 40+ years. He spent his life helping others and making St. Louis Park a great place to live. Among his many good traits and characteristics he was a very honest person and modest about his accomplishments in life. He will be missed by many and especially us.

Mr. Hanks, he will always be remembered by to so many of us. A extremely fair and forward teacher to so many. Willing to listen and help all who sought his help. Strong in so many ways and dedicated to his community always. SLP Class of 1973

Mr. SLP is appropriate. Remember Lyle as a great person to have in the schools and community as the Park grew and matured with his assistance.

When I was in junior high I tearfully came to the office one day because money was missing from my locker...I remember telling him how sad I was because it was money I was going to spend on my moms birthday present. The next day I was called to the office and told they had found my money...deep down I always felt like he was the one who paid me back the missing $8. Guess I'll never know for sure, but what I do know is he was always very kind to me and he made me laugh. He attended both of my parents funerals and that really meant a lot to me and my family. My sympathies to your family, he was quite a man.

Our deepest sympathy to the Hanks family on the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and uncle. And my cousin. -- Nancy Miller and Steve Wietgrefe

Dear Laura, I am so sorry to hear of Lyle's passing. Although our lives grew apart after our "Council Life", Lyle has always held a very special place in my heart. He was always very special. I am so sorry for your loss. Most sincerely, Irv

Mr. Hanks was a mensch. Teaching and providing leadership in SLP, I am sure he knew what that meant. He was tough, but it was obvious he was just trying to get each of us to reach our potential. Thanks for all you did for each of us and the community.

He will be missed.GOD BLESS

Mr. Hanks made my transition to a new high school easier. He was a wonderful person who wanted the best for all students at SLPHS. My condolences to his family. He shaped the lives of many youth, and he will be truly missed.

My condolences for the family of this wonderful man, who taught our group of 1970s teenaged wisenheimers, with patience and a passion for education that is still with me today. God has truly gained a special angel and we will feel his loss here on earth. Prayers for his family and my sincere regrets-he was a wonderful man and teacher to all who knew him.

Terry Niska Watson

Mr. Hanks and I saw eachother on a daily basis in high school. Sorry I never turned in Any of those detention slips :)
My thoughts and prayers got out to his family. He will be missed.

Our family considered Lyle Hanks to be Mr. St. Louis Park. His multiple roles as Teacher, Coach, School Administrator and Mayor resulted in him knowing and positively impacting so many young people. He was always on the go and seemed to love it. He was a great person and will be sorely missed.

The Bill Dixon Family

I was a mediocre football player at best. Thirty years after high school, my son and I saw Lyle at a restaurant. I approached him to say hello and before I could tell him who I was, he said, "Schwartz, right? Class of '69." To me that speaks volumes about Lyle's connection with his students and athletes. Tough (for sure), caring, real, smart, and a great teacher and coach.

Lyle's family,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Lyle and I saw each other frequently at the St. Louis Park Schools, and socially too.
After retirement we had breakfast together with the other retirees in Hopkins.

Joe Cavaleri

My thoughts are with the Hanks family. Mr. Hanks was my teacher in the 70's. I remember him as a great teacher, coach and Mayor. R.I.P Mr. Hanks.
Michele (Lowe) Wilsterman

Lyle was the guy who taught us all about how to be a good public servant. He certainly taught me the job of Mayor. More importantly he taught me about how to be a better person. He was my mentor and my friend. Lyle, God bless you. I will miss you and speak well of you forever.

When I think about growing up in SLP I always remember Mr Hanks. You lived a great life and touched many in a positive way. Rest in piece Mr Hanks, rest in piece...

Just a great guy and one of my favorite coaches. Never beat around the bush, told it the way it was . He truly will be missed.

sorry to hear about mr. hanks he was a good person and he will be missed.god bless the hanks family.

My long time friend,mayor,coach,and neighbor,will be missed by me and many people whose life he touched. Rest in peace and say hi to Augie!

Judy,

I wish I could be there for you, but I am at an offsite business meeting. Know that I am thinking of you. Your Dad was a great guy. Never had him as a teacher so I only knew him as my friends Dad and he was one of a kind.

I met Lyle Hanks in 1969 as a 9th grade student at Central Jr High (SLP). He impressed me as a teacher's teacher and was one if those who inspired me to a career as a professional educator. My condolences to the entire Hanks Family on your loss. Please take comfort that he remembered well by so many over so many years!

Ronald I. Brill, M.A., M.Ed.
Career & Technology Education
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Tampa, FL

This guy had eyes in the back of his head and had a grip that he would put on the back of your neck if you got out of line. He also coached our freshman football team. What a guy!!!RIP Lyle

He was my favorite teacher. I still think of him. May the Lord wrap his loving arms around the whole family during this time. Sending prayers.

Mr. Hanks was Mayor, assistant principal and one of my football coaches. He was a good family man and I wish I would have told Him how much of an inspiration He was to me

Mr Hanks was my math teacher when I was 14 yrs old. He taught me alot. I have many fond memories of him that I will cherish forever.

Mr. Hanks was one of those great teachers who combined tough expectations with a twinkle in his eye. He was one of several who made Park High a special place.

A great man who taught hard lessons well.

My first mayor, Lyle held the job when I first joined the city council in 1994. There was a mix of old guard and new blood -- he had a steady hand to balance our enthusiastic efforts to change things up! We'll miss you, Lyle.

Can't get any better than Lyle. May he rest in peace!

he was one of favorite teachers

The happiest and most fun loving "grumpy" guy I have ever met. Learned a lot from him and enjoyed every minute with him, even though he was better than me every moment.

Mr. Hanks was a great friend of our family. I remember quite a few visits to his office in school when I was out of line. He was a great man!

Lyle gave so much in so many ways to the St. Louis Park community, and was always a great supporter of others. I will always remember him for his encouragement,optimism, and integrity. Thank you, and rest well, my friend.