Ralph Charles Hansen

Ralph Charles Hansen (85) of Exeter, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025 after a period of failing health. He is succeeded by his second wife of 38 years, Margaret, and two sons from his first marriage to Pam – Peter Hansen, daughter-in-law, Kim and grandson, Kevin, of Freehold, New Jersey; Paul Hansen and daughter-in-law, Maria of Dunwoody, Georgia. He was predeceased by his older brother, James Hansen and nephew, David Hansen. Ralph was succeeded by James's widow, Millicent Hansen of Franklin, Massachusetts and nephews Daniel and Bradley.
Ralph was born on March 11, 1940, to the late Harry A. and Gertrude V. Hansen in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of seven, the family moved to Needham, Massachusetts, where he spent the rest of his youth. At the age of seventeen, Ralph joined the U.S. Coast Guard and was discharged with honors seven years later. During his life, he was a proud veteran of the USCG, always wearing his veteran's hat, and he loved to regale stories of his military service.
After leaving the USCG, Ralph started a successful career in sales and marketing. He managed the initiation and growth of the Echlin Accel automotive ignition product line, received several sales awards over the years and became a Director of the SEMA Board.
During this time, he lived in Madison, Connecticut where he made life-long friends with several of his neighbors – Doug Cohee, Peter Wenk, Ralph Rotermund and the late Frank Adley. He enjoyed playing tennis and water-skiing.
After five years working for Hella Inc in Cranford, New Jersey, Ralph left the corporate world in 1989 to start Hansen Sales, Inc, his own manufacturer's sales agency for automotive parts and accessories in New England, which he continued until his retirement at age 78. He moved to New Hampshire in 1991 and spent 26 years in Exeter, followed by a year and three-quarters at Webster at Rye Assisted Living and Nursing Home.
There will be no visitation hours. Brewitt Funeral Home of Exeter is taking care of the funeral arrangements. Burial will take place on January 6, 2026 at 12:30 pm at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.
The family kindly asks in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Ralph's memory to a charity of your choice or the U.S.C.G. Foundation, 394 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT 06378 or at https://coastguardfoundation.org/ways-to-give