Peter R. Hanson

REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF PETE HANSON Peter Reinhold Hanson was born to Swedish immigrant parents, Peter and Jennie Hanson, on the 14th of August, 1927. The first of their two children, Peter Reinhold Hanson was called Reinhold throughout his childhood. The Hanson family grew to include Reinhold's younger sister, Vivian, in 1934. They resided in North Denver as one of only a few Swedish families amongst mostly Italian immigrants. Born with a strong work ethic, young Reinhold mowed lawns, planted celery, and picked raspberries for a penny a box. Once Reinhold had earned enough for a bicycle, he took a paper route of over two hundred papers. At North Denver High School, Reinhold lettered in track, and his paper route had earned him enough money to buy his first car. He was one of only a handful of students with such a luxury. At the age of 17, Reinhold officially changed his name to Pete. Pete graduated from high school in 1945, and in the midst of World War II. Given the choice of being drafted into the infantry or enlisting, Pete enthusiastically chose to enlist in the Navy on the 4th of July. He was stationed at Camp Wallace, Texas. Pete's veteran's benefits paved his way to attend the University of Denver, where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. Pete was a member of the D.U. ski team, competing as a 4-way athlete, in the downhill, slalom, ski jumping, and cross country. It was also at D.U. that Pete met the love of his life, Shirley Jean Coffman. They married in the September, 1950, following their college graduations. During their 60 years of marriage, Pete and Shirley raised their two children, Roy and Kristine, in their Arvada home. Pete was a dedicated family man, and although it was necessary for him to travel extensively for work, he made sure that any time away from the job was spent with his family. The Hanson family expanded to include Roy's wife, JeanAnn, and their two children, Derrik and Heidi, as well as Kristine's husband, Steve Farley. Pete had a distinguished career as an electrical engineer, beginning at the Bureau of Reclamation, in electrical substation design and communications. In 1978, Pete transferred to the Western Area Power Administration within the Department of Energy. During more than forty years of service to the government, Pete served with distinction on many committees, and earned many honors, before retiring in 1992. Pete's love of the outdoors and skiing lead him to join the National Volunteer Ski Patrol at Winter Park in 1948, and he served as a patrolman for over forty years. Pete's son, Roy, and grandson, Derrik, are also members the Patrol, making the Hansons the first family at Winter Park to have three generations serving on the Patrol. Pete was an avid outdoorsman, and loved to snow ski, water ski, golf, camp, backpack, hunt, and fish. In his retirement, Pete continued to enjoy all of his interests in his beloved home state of Colorado. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children, grandchildren, family, and many friends. Pete and Shirley enjoyed traveling, and playing golf with good friends across the country. The later years of Pete's life were heartbreakingly hindered by the progression of frontal lobe dementia, which eventually took his life. He left this world on Thursday, May 26th, with his family at his side. There will be a visitation held Tuesday, May 31, from 10:00 - 10:30 am; Funeral Service at 10:30 am; Reception to follow. All services at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel located at 7577 West 80th Avenue (Northeast corner of 80th & Wadsworth Blvd.) in Arvada, CO. Burial to take place at Arvada Cemetery at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Pete's ""lifetime"" ski patrol service to: Rocky Mountain Division Scholarship (In memory of Pete Hanson) c/o Steve Jaouen, 2029 23rd Ave., Greeley, CO 80634-6628. Please share your memories of Pete and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" button.