OBITUARIES

Jack Hanson

John B. "Jack" Hanson

John “Jack” Hanson was born on March 24, 1918, in Denver, Colorado, the son of Bernard Hanson and Emily Vogt Hanson. He grew up in rural Colorado and married Rebecca Hanson (her maiden name) on January 30, 1943. They had three daughters—Emily, Betsy, and Lois—and seven grandchildren.

Dr. Hanson served in the Army from 1940 to 1945, stationed in Tunisia, Italy, from 1943 to 1944. After WWII, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and his master’s and doctorate degrees in plant physiology from Washington State University. He was the first member of his family to graduate from college. In 1953, he began what was to be a 32-year career as a faculty member at the University of Illinois. He was employed first by the Agronomy Department, where he achieved the rank of full professor. From 1967 until his retirement in 1985, he served as head of the Department of Botany. His scientific papers were frequently published in professional journals, and he successfully mentored graduate students from all over the world.

Jack Hanson was a Fulbright Scholar at the Waite Institute, Adelaide, Australia; took study leaves in England and at the University of California at Davis; and served as president and interim executive director of the American Society of Plant Physiologists. He also researched and wrote the first comprehensive history of the society, titled History of the American Society of Plant Physiologists, published in 1989.

He was known as a talented singer and songwriter, often entertaining friends and family with his renditions of traditional cowboy songs. For special occasions, he often composed what he called “ditties.” Two of these, “Animals Talk” and “There’s a Mouse in Our House,” he published as children’s books. He was an avid gardener, reader, and clock collector. He and his wife traveled all over the world, attending elderhostels and visiting friends and family. He was a member of the Community United Church of Christ for 53 years.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community United Church of Christ, Champaign, or to the John B. Hanson Scholarship Fund, a need-based scholarship for University of Illinois undergraduates from rural backgrounds studying the plant sciences, c/o U of I Foundation, 1305 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801.

submitted by Lois Hanson

Colleagues of Professor Hanson’s are preparing a tribute to him for the January/February 2007 issue of the ASPB News. Mrs. Hanson welcomes messages from her husband’s former students. She can be reached at 101 W. Windsor, Apt. 2106, Urbana, IL 61802; jbhanson@uiuc.edu.