Reverend Robert Eugene Hanson

Beloved pastor Robert E. Hanson passed away peacefully at home in Chagrin Falls after a multiyear struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Robert leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Norma Sue "Susie" (Montgomery) Hanson, his children Claudia Britt Townsend (Dan) and Thea Justine Mozingo (Chuck), three grandchildren Charles Mozingo (Nicole), Catherine Mozingo (Bella) and LJ Taylor, and a sister, Betty McClure of Aliceville, Alabama Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Marie Hanson, and his children Therese Anne Hanson and Karl Rolf Hanson.
Robert was born to Swedish immigrant parents in Chicago, Illinois. After the death of his mother, Robert briefly resided at The Cradle adoption agency before being adopted by Carl and Marie Hanson of Galesburg, Illinois and Nashua, Iowa. Robert attended Galesburg Schools and Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. As a young adult, he moved to Rock Island, Illinois to attend seminary at Augustana College while continuing graduate studies at the University of Iowa.
Robert married Norma Sue Montgomery of Villa Grove, Illinois in Rock Island in 1959. After graduation, he served a pastoral internship from 1960-1962 with H. Karl Ladwig at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Boise Idaho. His first call was to Albany Park Lutheran Church in Chicago from 1964-1974. Here Robert was also an instructor of New Testament Greek and Systematic Theology at the Lutheran School of Theology.
In 1974, Robert and family moved to Cleveland Heights, Ohio where he served as pastor of First English Lutheran Church until its closure in 2002.
Robert was known for his wonderful sermons. He also wrote book reviews for Lutheran publications, as well as articles for newspapers and magazines. He gave lectures and made appearances on local television programs, Severance Hall, Wooster College and Cleveland State University.
Wherever Robert lived, his passion was to sing with various groups and choirs. Hobbies included playing piano and organ, and this interest led him to build 3 harpsichords and a clavichord, and to assist in rebuilding multiple pipe organs throughout his life.
Robert was Dean of the Cleveland East Conference of the Northeastern Synod, and on the Board of the Cleveland Heights Lutheran Communities Ministry. He was a longtime representative on Interfaith and Ecumenical councils in Northeast Ohio.
Robert and Susie made regular trips to England, Canada, and multiple countries in Europe. Robert enjoyed retracing the steps of early Christianity in Greece and Turkey.
After retirement, Robert and Susie relocated to Hamlet in Chagrin Falls in 2021. The family is extremely grateful to hospice and caregivers for all their loving care and attention. Robert retained his love of music and sense of humor up until the end of his life.
There will be no memorial service at this time.
To honor and celebrate Bob/Dad/Grandpa, we encourage you to read a great book, listen to Handel, Bach or Scott Joplin, sing with abandon, tell your funniest joke or best story, laugh with a friend and smile at a stranger. As your pastor, he would ask you to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly. He would tell you to use your voice for the voiceless and to advocate for those in need. If you feel called to do so, we invite you to donate to your favorite charity in his name.
Every Sunday, for decades he finished the Sunday service with his favorite benediction and it is what he would wish for all he knew and met. The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.