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BORN
1941
DIED
2024
R. Hanna Obituary
07/02/1941 - 08/10/2024
Richard Judd Hanna passed away August 10, 2024 in Mill Creek, CA. He was born July 2, 1941 to Richard R. Hanna and Polly L. Hanna in San Francisco, CA. He was raised on the Bay Area Peninsula with sisters Judy, Jennifer and Jill. Judd made lifelong friends growing up in Hillsborough and throughout his life. Those friendships always involved raising some hell and having an interesting time along the way. He attended Cate School in Carpinteria, CA where he acquired knowledge and experiences that provided an amazing foundation for the rest of his life. UC Berkeley was a fun filled adventure and assisted in his quest to become a Naval aviator. Immediately after graduation he attended flight school in Pensacola FL. He flew fighter jets and rescue helicopters for two tours in Vietnam. He married his college sweetheart Carol (Ackerman) Hanna, and they had two sons; Richard Joss Hanna and William Mark Hanna.
After leaving the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander he obtained an MBA from Stanford University while continuing to fly for the US Navy Reserves. Judd was a true believer in small business enterprises and had various professional positions primarily in real estate development.
Judd fulfilled a personal dream when he moved to Mill Creek, CA to the Circle S Ranch, a cattle and timber ranch, that has been in his family for 100 years. Besides his professional accomplishments, he was an avid outdoorsman and believed in responsible resource stewardship. His 32 years of fulltime residency was shared with his wife Kerry L. Burke. Judd's conservation efforts not only extended to the ranch but well beyond. He was a founding member of the Mill Creek Conservancy, which he continued to serve to the present. Judd served on the California Fish and Game Commission and was the champion of eliminating lead ammunition from impacting the California Condor habitat which sparked additional protections for wildlife throughout California. He followed a family tradition and was on the Lassen Volcanic Park Foundation Board and the Lassen Museum Board. Judd was a founding member of the California Wildlife Officers Foundation and served on the Tehama County K-9 Foundation Board and CalTip. Another passion of Judd's for over 30 years was being the rice farmer/resource manager for Aloha Farms in Yuba County. He shared many great times with family and friends bird hunting, while requiring voluntary restraint in the field but not necessarily in the clubhouse.
Judd died helping protect the ranch and the surrounding area during the recent Park Fire.
Judd is survived by and will be forever missed by his wife Kerry Burke, sons Joss (Diane), Mark (Michele) and grandchildren Jack, Stella, Reed and Scarlet.
A celebration of life is being planned for early this fall.
If so inclined, please consider a donation to the Mineral-Mill Creek Volunteer Fire Department or other organization of your choice.
Memories and Condolences
for R. Hanna
13 Entries
Jim Immer
September 19, 2024
I worked with Judd in the 90's and he taught me to have a good work/life balance and we always went to the gym at lunch. Several times I had the privilege to visit Judd and Kerry at the Ranch where we had wonderful times! Judd was a great character and I am sad for the family's loss.
Kevin M. White
September 5, 2024
Judd was a true California man, honest, hard working, generous and kind. California is a better state for having had him and I am a better man for having known him. RIP Commissioner.
Susan Wilson
September 5, 2024
Sorry for your loss prayers
Doug and Tami Mullen
September 5, 2024
Condolences to the family. Judd had a life well lived.
Axel de Tristan
August 26, 2024
Judd and I became good friends while we were at Cate School and remained so throughout the rest of our lives. Although we only saw each other infrequently after we graduated from Cate, as I resided far away from California during the better of the many ensuing years that elapsed since that time, we kept in touch intermitently by telephone or email. Judd was a
very likable, interesting, amusing, and positive individual who was fun to be around and converse with, and it was both a privilege and a pleasure to have known him as a lifelong friend.
Patty Barter Marsh
August 25, 2024
Condolences to Judy, Jeff´s wife, and his family. My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Judd when we attended a gathering on the ranch with the Porsche club friends. What a wonderful man! He was excited about the new wood floor he´d put in his Airstream and was happy to show it to us. We too are Airstream owners. It was a wonderful get together that I will never forget. I send my prayers and love to all. Patty Marsh
Peter Poulson
August 23, 2024
Met Judd when we started Cate School together in the 8th grade and on to the University of California.The Navy and business took us in different directions.We reunited at Cate reunions.Great guy,great friend.He surely left his mark.
Mark and Jan Stegmaier
August 23, 2024
Our moments together with Judd were limited to a few handfuls, but each is a memory we will not forget. We were fortunate to experience Judd's hospitality at the beautiful Circle S Ranch, but knew him best from crossing paths in Mexico along with Kerry near their vacation "home away from home". We came to know his passionate dedication to wildlife, never doubted for a minute the devotion he had to his family, and absolutely loved his enthusiasm for his dear friends and the good times they shared together. We are so happy to have known Judd and will cherish our memories with him. Good food, fine drinks, beach paddles and sunsets, bad Spanish and lots of stories worthy of his smile.
judy hanna
August 23, 2024
There used to be 4 J siblings. Now there are only 3. I will miss you, dear younger brother.
Gene Chaput
August 22, 2024
Totally bummed. Unfair. But know that Judd passed `with his boots on´ helping firefighters battle the enormous Park fire - 4th largest in CA history - same as he did during the Dixie fire few years back. A true selfless hero. Judd and I went to kindergarten together but lost track of each other. We reconnected 75 years later thanks to Kristin Cashin who casually mentioned his name during a conversation about Mill Creek where our 100 year old cabin is located as well as Judd´s family ranch. Amazing coincidence. And what an unlikely but great restoration of a friendship..
Judd and I had been in contact during the past few weeks to evaluate the danger of the fire and urging him to consider evacuating. But in true character Judd said
"...I´ve been through worse"!
Wanted the family and all to know they have been so fortunate as to be connected and in the presence of a `REAL John Wayne´. Soft spoken and always true to his character he will be remembered for those unique, rare qualities. RIP my `new´ old friend and ... "see you on the other side"!
Jennifer Finnegan
August 22, 2024
Judd was a strong supporter of Lassen Park Foundation, and we mourn his passing. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.
Brad Nightengale
August 21, 2024
Judd was an amazing person and I am honored that I knew him. Visiting Judd was always memorable, great food, great wine and great conversation!
Nannette Schumacher-Stoffel
August 21, 2024
I officially met Judd when he purchased the building that I work at, though I had known of him for many years previous. Judd made my work life much easier when he graciously put in a significant upgrade to our building in both our power and our lighting inside and outside the building. He often stopped by to check in, chat about the market and ask if we needed anything. I looked forward to his visits and knew if a building issue came up and no one was getting back to me that a phone call or email to Judd would have things moving shortly. I will very much miss his visits and his quick smile. He had a way of making the day a little brighter. I always appreciated his "Ted Talks".
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
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