Richard Edward Hanson

Richard E. Hanson, 69, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away March 5, 2018, surrounded by his family and dear friends. A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, March 17 at Southwoods Christian Church, 16110 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas. Lunch will immediately follow at the Camelot Ballroom, 6635 151st Street, Overland Park.

Dick was a joy-filled man who lived a full life. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, trivia games, reading, music, skiing the Colorado Mountains, playing golf, traveling, KU basketball, corny jokes, a good poker hand, and a quality beer. He especially loved watching his niece, Kamryn, play softball.

Dick was an English teacher and girls’ basketball coach for many years at Olathe North and Olathe East High Schools. He enjoyed keeping in touch with his students and rarely went anywhere that he did not see a former student.

Family and friends were at the center of Dick’s life. His best times were spent with his wife, Sherrie and son, Samm. He was passionate about traveling and was always planning the next trip with his family. He had a deep desire to provide as many experiences for Samm as he could. Dick always supported Samm in whatever his interests were. Dick was a loyal man and had many life-long friends.

Dick came to faith later in his life. He found comfort and profound peace in his faith in God and knew his eternal destiny.

Survivors include his wife, Sherrie, son Samm, family Mike and Peggy Rohleder, Michael, Holly and Kamryn Rohleder, and Stephanie Holzer, and his beloved friends Jim and Ruthann Mowry, Deb and Barry Lawson and Ellen Hanson.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Shepherd’s Field Childrens Village http://chinaorphans.org/one-time-donation/

Condolences

  1. Linda Shannon Owens on March 8, 2018 at 12:50 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.



  2. Doug Jones on March 8, 2018 at 4:15 pm

    My memories of Dick go all the way back to junior high school. What I remember the most was an extremely kind man and always a good friend. Rest in peace



  3. Cheryl Oakley on March 8, 2018 at 5:25 pm

    My thoughts are with you, Sherrie and Samm. May your memories always bring you comfort.



  4. Peggy Mack Lowman on March 8, 2018 at 6:14 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Dick was always kind, loyal and a great friend to so many people. I’m sure he was a wonderful teacher. I first met him in high school. He was always smiling and treated everyone so kindly. I know he will be missed so much. I’m so happy he found Christ and died in His arms.



  5. Tony Perry on March 8, 2018 at 6:50 pm

    My Sincerest Condolences to Sherrie, Samm and Family! Dick was a good friend all the way back to Junior HS and always had a smile and something funny to say! I’ve lost another friend from School days but Heaven has gained another Angel! RIP Dick and will always remember you!??????



  6. Julie (Baker) Staley. ONHS on March 9, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    Coach Hanson was my basketball coach which pushed us with firmness but, always gave grace. If he said it you knew he meant what he said, and expected it to happen. I loved being a player on his team but even more than that he was my newspaper advisor, teacher, mentor, and a grown up that listened with his heart. This last fall I met Coach to get caught up and it reminded me that he always firmly held us to high expectations while also showing us how much he cared about our success on and off the court. He is truly one of the four teachers in all my years of school that thought me how to be the teacher I am today. Sherrie and Samm my heart hurts for you at this time but, please know your husband and dad meant the world to many people.



  7. Sacramenta Landrum on March 10, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    My deepest condolences to the Hanson family and friends for the loss of your loved one Richard. Gone but not forgotten a wonderful promise in God’s word the Bible for the loved ones we have lost in death John 5:28,29, to be fulfilled very soon right here on a brand new Paradise Earth by his son Jesus Christ it will give you hope and comfort during this difficult time Revelation 21:1-5.



  8. Mary Ann Janesko on March 10, 2018 at 2:35 pm

    Sherrie and Samm, I am so sorry to hear you lost your loving husband and father. Please know that Dick as well as you and his family will be in our prayers. I remember how Dick would send you beautiful tulips to your office at work because he knew that was your favorite flower. He was so thoughtful and loving of you and Samm as well. God Bless you and Samm with many loving memories to help you through your sorrow.



  9. Lori myers on March 10, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    Sherrie and Samm, sending loving thoughts and prayers to you.



  10. Jessica (McCool) Scheuermann on March 10, 2018 at 3:46 pm

    I was blessed to have Dick as a teacher in high school. He was the newspaper adviser the 2 years I was on newspaper staff. He was a mile marker in my journey of loving and using words well. I so appreciated our conversations about writing and many other things. He always challenged me and pushed me, and yet I knew how much he cared for me too. I had the extra blessing of keeping in touch with him even after I graduated and got to see him most recently about 7 months ago. It was good to catch up and reminisce, and it was so touching to hear him speak of his Sherrie and Samm and the joy they brought to his life. You both have my condolences, and I know he leaves a huge hole in your lives. I pray the God of all comfort brings you peace as you mourn.



  11. Cindy Wiklund on March 10, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    I’m so, so sorry for your loss Sherrie and Samm. Loving thoughts of joy, sorrow, comfort and the peace that passes all understanding to you all.



  12. April (Folsom) Frederick on March 10, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    Coach Hanson was my basketball coach all 4 years at Olathe East. We shared a love of all things Jayhawks (even Roy Williams) as he would always model his coaching pre-game after Roy. He instilled in his players hard work and high expectations. Also he had a way of whistling that could cut through the loudest of gyms to get your attention! I was lucky enough to meet up with him last summer when his beloved niece, Kam and my daughter played softball together. Seeing him teach Samm how to keep score, and always cheering for Kam, those he loved knew it! I am so sorry for your loss and I pray for comfort and peace during this time for the entire family.



  13. Sabrina Korentager on March 11, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    Sherrie and Samm there aren’t enough words to convey how very sorry I am for your loss. I know he was a wonderful husband and father. May memories provide some comfort during this difficult time.



  14. Jennifer (Plemons) Cogle on March 11, 2018 at 5:20 pm

    I am so saddened by this news. He was my English teacher and newspaper advisor (C/o ’89) & I don’t know where I’d be today without his influence in my life. He was a difference maker! Prayers & my deepest sympathies for his family!!



  15. Mary Lynn Perkins on March 11, 2018 at 7:57 pm

    I am so sorry for the loss of Dick. I really enjoyed the years we spent together teaching at ON. He was a wonderful educator and man.



  16. Tom Kearney on March 11, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    I knew Dick Hanson as a colleague, coach, and fan of “Mr. Whiffy.” Lots of good times at Olathe High School, Olathe North, and Olathe East. Even got to officiate one of his games! Rest well, coach.



  17. Shannon Bruce on March 11, 2018 at 11:30 pm

    Such a great man to know I ran into him at a gas station in Gardner and he said “Your a Bruce” I said yes Mr Hanson he said I haven’t changed much I graciously said Thank you we talked a bit told him I had 3 who graduated from Olathe North he still one of the nicest and kindest person you will ever meet. Rest Well sir



  18. Susan Dugger Robertson on March 13, 2018 at 11:09 am

    I am so sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Hanson. I had him for a teacher at Olathe High School & worked closely with him as statistician for the girl’s basketball team. He was always kind and generous, and he cared about his students & athletes. He was one of my very favorite teachers, and I have always remembered him fondly. Please accept my prayers for all of you and this great loss.



  19. Bill and Lorrie Trout on March 13, 2018 at 10:32 pm

    Dick was a good man, and he was always in great shape is something’s I remember about him. Sorry for your loss and we are praying for your family in this time of your loss.



  20. Dixie on March 14, 2018 at 7:55 pm

    What a sweet spirited man. Will miss you at our reunions but my favorite new saying now us -“Christians never meet for the last time”. See you in glory my friend. Prayers for all who loved Dick. Dixie &Bob Waters



  21. Leondra Sandstrom on March 16, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    I am so sorry for the loss of your dad Samm and your husband Sherrie. He was a very nice guy as I got to know him in the front office of Madison Place! I will never forget this fine family as well as Samm who made a place in my heart during the year I got to know him! God bless you all. I am thinking and praying for all of you!



  22. Veronica (Delp) Preston on March 16, 2018 at 11:04 pm

    Dick was my newspaper adviser for 2 years in high school. He left such an amazing impression on my life at that time–and it is one that continues to this day. I had never known a teacher who had the ability to both push you to your limits and also care about you so deeply. He had a way of getting right to the heart of things and could do it with a lighthearted chuckle. At the same time, he demanded your best. It was a blessing and a privilege to know him. Sherrie and Samm, my prayers are with you both at this time! May God’s comfort and peace surround you in many tangible ways in the days ahead!



  23. Trice Alford on March 19, 2018 at 9:30 am

    I had the pleasure of working with Dick for a few years at Vance Publishing. He was a wonderful person and good friend. He and i enjoyed talking sports and giving each other a hard time about KU & K-State. Sherrie and Samm, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know he will be missed.



  24. John Freeman on April 9, 2018 at 5:37 pm

    Sherrie and Samm, apologies are always too late. Thank you for the pleasure and privilege of knowing and working with Dick at Olathe North and Olathe East. He set his expectations high in his daily life as well as in the classroom, the newspaper sponsorship role and when coaching. Dick was a genuine individual and a valued friend during our teaching years.



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