Gunnar Oscar Hansen, of Louisville, died on July 10, 2021, just 15 days shy of
his 90th birthday. He was born in Mobile, AL on July 25, 1931. His father,
Gunnar Hansen, immigrated from Stockholm, Sweden as a young man, and his mother,
Elida Marie Nelson Hansen, was from a family which immigrated from Sweden the
previous generation. Gunnar was proud of his Swedish heritage.
After graduating from Murphy High School in Mobile in 1948, Gunnar enlisted
in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received an appointment to the U.S. Naval
Academy in 1949, and after graduating in 1953, he again served in the
Marines in Okinawa, Japan, Korea, and at several Marine Corps bases in the
United States. He rose to the rank of Captain.
As a young Marine Lieutenant, Gunnar befriended and helped support two young
Marines in the South Korean military. In addition to encouraging their
education, he sponsored them to become American citizens. One of those young
men, Dr. Syngman Rhee, became President of the World Council of Churches
and, in later years, stayed in communication with Gunnar.
In 1965 Gunnar enrolled in San Diego State University and earned a Master's
Degree in Mathematics in 1968. He taught Mathematics at Jefferson Community
College, at U. of L, Indiana U. Southeast, and also at the Job Corps Center
in Simpsonville. Gunnar became a Kentucky Colonel in recognition of his
volunteer work tutoring prison inmates in Mathematics.
In 1968 he married Diana Williams Hansen of Louisville, who survives him. He
is also survived by their two children, Christina Diana Hansen and Gunnar
Thomas Hansen, both of Louisville. He is also survived by his sister, Sigrid
Christine Hansen Childers Hyman of Columbia, SC, and her family. His other
sister, Marie Alice Hansen of Mobile, predeceased him.
Gunnar was a good man with a wonderful sense of humor, which always uplifted
his family. All his life, Gunnar loved games and puzzles. He also liked to
exercise and enjoyed the game of golf among other activities. In his
retirement he became a good bridge player with his wife as his partner.
Ironically, if (or when) they won a game or tournament, he was always
modestly surprised, but then he wanted to be called "The Champ". He is, and
always will be, missed tremendously.
For 15 years after retirement, Gunnar was a faithful member of the Thursday
Bridge Group at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 2822 Frankfort Ave, 40206. His
funeral will be held at St. Mark's, on Saturday, July 24 with visitation
from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and the service starting at 2 p.m. If desired,
memorial contributions may be made in his name to the church.
Published by Courier-Journal from Jul. 15 to Jul. 18, 2021.