Alvin "Tip" Hanson

1938 - 2016

Alvin Clifford ""Tip"" Hanson of Brimley, Michigan, passed away at his home on April 25, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on December 28, 1938, in Trout Lake, Michigan, to the late Walter and Gertrude (Lindsay) Hanson. He graduated from Brimley High School in 1956 and attended Lake Superior State College. He continued his education at the United States Air Force Cadet Corps, where he graduated and received his pilot wings in 1961.
Tip held the rank of captain in the United States Airforce and flew B47 bombers. Later he flew for Pan Am Airlines and then retired from Delta Airlines as captain. He was a World Cup bobsledder, and took Chuck Yeager for a bobsled run, met Charles Lindbergh and was a hole-in-one golfer. He was also a member of the U.S. Senior Citizen's Championship Curling Team, and was an award winning marksman. He loved Alaska and spent time there during the summer months fishing, hunting and gold mining in Nome.
Tip is survived by his loving wife: Gail (Forgrave) Hanson; his children: Mike (Monica) Hanson of Washington, Carrie Hanson of Alaska, and Kevin (Carol) Hanson of Alaska; and grandchildren: Morgan, Kieralin, and Kiefer all of Alaska. He is also survived by his step-children: Rick (Kathy) Schell of Kincheloe, MI, Debbie Schell of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and Brenda Austin (George Marble) of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; step grandchildren: Travis and Holly Austin, Kayce (Sprecker) LaBarr, Stephanie and Janine Sprecker, and Richard, Elizabeth, and Sean Schell; and five step great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers and sisters: Allen (Ruth) Hanson of Petoskey, MI, Lorna (the late Lester) Lightfoot of Petoskey, MI, Ruth (the late Robert) Bidus of Brimley, MI, Pete (the late Genny) Hanson of Battle Creek, MI, and Erna Lou (Gordon) Wilson of Traverse City, MI, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Tip was preceded in death by his parents: Walter and Gertrude (Lindsay) Hanson; his first wife: Barbara Hanson; and brothers and sister: Fred Hanson, who was lost at sea in WWII, Hazel (Thor) Monson of Chicago, IL, and Gerald (Sandy) Hanson of California.
A family celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by C.S. Mulder Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Condolences may be left online at www.csmulder.com