Hanson, Dennis Joel Obituary

Hanson, Dennis Joel was faculty at Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Hanson, Dennis Joel.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Dec 08, 2014
About	Dennis Joel Hanson, age 73, passed away at Redwood Memorial Hospital on December 08, 2014, with family by his side. Fortunately, his challenge with this sudden terminal verdict was met with brevity, grace and endless support from many that loved and cherished him. We were all blessed by being able to walk this path, his final journey these past few weeks. Dennis was born May 20, 1941, in Jefferson, Iowa to Charles (Darwin) Hanson and Ruth Overvig Hanson. After graduation from Jefferson High School, he attended the University of Northern Iowa on a football scholarship, graduating with a teaching credential in 1964. Dennis earned his Masters Degree in School Administration at California State University, Sacramento in 1976. A loving son, father, husband, brother, papa, grandpa, coach, mentor and friend we will miss him dearly and we are comforted knowing that he is with us forever. He was devoted to and passionate about family, education, fishing, hunting, friendship and students of every age. Dennis left an indelible impression on every life he touched. Dennis will be especially remembered for his robust sense of humor and "fighting the good fight" on behalf of students in the public school systems. His career as an educator spanned 50 years beginning in 1964 as a teacher and coach at Rio Linda High School. In 1968 he accepted a position at Elk Grove High School where he taught multiple subjects while coaching championship varsity football and baseball teams and was promoted to Dean of Students in 1974. In 1980, he and his family moved to Fortuna, CA, where he had accepted the position of Principal at East High School. In 1981, Dennis became the Principal of Fortuna High School and assumed the District Superintendent position along with the Fortuna High Principalship in 1987. Dennis also taught several different courses at Humboldt State University for the Education Admin Program. At the time of his retirement, Dennis was the District Superintendent, District Business Manager and Principal of East High School. Dennis considered himself very lucky to have worked with some of the best teachers, staff, administrators and Board members in the State. Post-retirement, Dennis began his private consulting proprietorship, Fundamental Solutions. He dedicated himself to multiple projects in the Humboldt County School District including substitute teaching and interim administrator at several elementary schools, Project Manager of Modernization at Scotia Elementary School and SARB Coordinator for the Eel River Valley. It was this role, as the District "truancy officer" that kept him most connected to education in a way he believed truly mattered most, working with at-risk children. He was fiercely devoted to his belief that every child must have access to quality education. Education solutions that engage with and allow kids to succeed one child at a time. An avid sportsman, Dennis spent the first 20 years of life hunting and fishing the wooded rivers, lakes and streams in Iowa. Over the past 53 years he enjoyed hunting California waterfowl and deer. He spent many long hours tying and casting flies into every river, brook and stream in Northern California. In 2005, he purchased his dream boat - an ocean faring vessel which he fished out of Humboldt Bay for salmon and halibut to his hearts delight. Dennis took special joy in teaching his grandsons and other youngsters the art of successful ocean fishing. Preceded in death by his parents, Dennis is survived by his first wife Deanna Hanson and daughters, Kris Hanson (wife Debbie Dinelli), daughter Shari Kautzky (husband Tas Kautzky), daughter Morgan Hanson (fiance´ Arin McBlaine) Morgan's mother, Sherry Hanson, and grandsons Owen and Ben Kautzky and Quentin McBlaine. Dennis is survived by his wife, Susan LeRoy-Hanson and her children, Brian LeRoy and "daughter" Leslie Crowley (husband Tim), and Sue's grandchildren, who loved their Papa dearly, Adrienne LeRoy, Max LeRoy, Travis Freeman, Trystan Lewis-Baum and Tanner Baum. He is survived by his sister Linda Murphy of Georgia (husband Danny), nephew and niece Jeff and Julie Barling. Dennis is also survived by his best friend, Leo Mack of Fortuna. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of St. Joseph Hospital, Dr. Xiang and Dr. Fratkin for providing quality care and support to Dennis. A big thank you too, to Leo Mack, for his unending help to this family during these last several weeks and his devotion to Dad's well being. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Dr. Michael Fratkin's Resolution/Pallative Care (resolutioncare.com), the Fortuna High Dennis Hanson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Fortuna High School, or the charity of your choice . Dennis wished to be cremated with his ashes spread in the ocean he loved so much. A private family service at Field's Landing will be held this weekend. A Celebration of Life will be held in Fortuna, CA after the first of the New Year. Relatives, friends, and colleagues are all welcome: the date, place and time will be announced at a later date. - Information from the Sacramento Bee