Martin Hanson Obituary
Born in Seattle, Washington on November 25, 1943, Marty was the beloved son of Victor Hanson and Margaret Budnich Hanson. He grew up in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, graduated from Seattle Preparatory School in 1961 and went on to earn a degree in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Washington in 1965.
Marty's professional career included positions at General Electric (Seattle and Cleveland), Tektronix (Beaverton, OR), and Planar (Hillsboro, OR).
His greatest joy, however, was his family and friends. Marty is survived by his daughters, Audrey Hanson (Palm Springs, CA) and Renee Rutherford (spouse Nathan Rutherford, Vienna, VA), and his two adoring granddaughters, Lucy and Lily Rutherford. He is also survived by his best friend, Sue Cassidy, and nieces and nephews (Gregory Hanson, Stephanie Hanson, and Kimberly Hanson). He was preceded in death by his brother, Phillip Lockwood Hanson.
The Mazamas was Marty's second family, his true retirement love. He spent his third chapter in life as an avid mountaineer and a dedicated Mazama volunteer.
Marty was amongst the most accomplished Mazama leaders in both quality and quantity of his leads, leading over 1000 climbs, hikes, snowshoes and street rambles throughout the northwest. Marty's favorite later in life accomplishment was climbing all 16 major northwest mountains. Marty held positions since 1994 with the Mazamas Trails Trip Committee, Trails Tenders Subcommittee, Financial Affairs Committee, Bylaws Committee, Executive Council, and as Treasurer. His humor, selflessness, humility, and commitment to serving others will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Marty requested to not have a funeral, but to have a celebratory get together with friends and family. A funeral service to celebrate Marty's life will be held this summer (2026) at Mt Pleasant Cemetery on Queen Anne hill, in Seattle, Washington. Celebrations to be had in both Seattle and Portland, Details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marty's memory to The Mazamas www.mazamas.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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