Richard Dale Hansen

Those crystal blue eyes, ever dancing as he told stories or answered questions. Even if he didn’t know the answer, he’d make up something wonderful that always sounded convincing. That was Richard, such a kindhearted man, whatever came out of his mouth came straight from his heart.

Richard Dale Hansen was born at home July 7, 1938, to Ruben and Lorraine Davis Hansen of Scappoose, Oregon. He had three siblings, Jim, Wanda and Allen. He loved his siblings and always maintained a very close relationship with all of them, their spouses and children. Not to minimize the others, but his sister Wanda was always his rock, his beacon of light. They remained the best of friends throughout their lives.

He served in the Marines as a demolition expert and paid a dear price for it when he lost most of his hearing as he grew older, but he was proud of his service. When he got out, he started taking college courses and then decided to follow his brother Jim into the electrical trade and became a Master Electrician. He loved his work and was responsible for encouraging several of his loved ones to become electricians as well.

Richard married Eileen Turk and helped raise her three children, Greg, Diana and Lisa. He quit his job when Eileen became very sick with cancer so he could take care of her. He remained close to their children and grandchildren, Greg and Sandra’s children, Corey, Heidi and Stephaney, Diana and son-in-law Greg Johnson and Lisa’s children Joe and Christina, after her passing. Blood was never the bond with Richard, he was always “all in” and treated everyone like forever family.

Richard built his beautiful home in Vancouver with his own hands. When he put a swimming pool in the backyard, he built his own solar heater out of hoses before that was even a thing! He wanted to make sure the grandkids would be warm enough when they came over to swim and it worked like charm – the heater AND getting the kids to come over constantly to use the pool!

Richard loved playing golf, so when he married Joanne Fancher/Blessing on December 2, 1995, they celebrated their vows at a Beaverton Golf Club. At the time, they both golfed regularly and their passion for the game transferred them to Mesa, Arizona where they lived on Viewpoint golf course and their love for each other lasted over 30 years. His marriage to Joanne added Rick and Janet and grandchildren Ricky and Ryan, Diana and grandchildren Jenaé and Ian and eventually Ed and great-grandchildren Jazel, Rémy, Kennedy and Ellie to his growing family. Papa welcomed all comers with more love than we could ever have imagined. Right down to the very last one, their eyes would sparkle on the FaceTime calls asking, “Where’s Papa?”

Richard and Joanne also loved to travel and took many trips with their friends the Trapps and the Olsons. They went to many exotic places together like Australia and New Zealand. They also took a longboat cruise through the canals of England where they had to open and close the locks themselves and disembarked to visit villages and enjoy the pubs. They moved from Viewpoint to Fountain Hills where they enjoyed all the seasonal festivities around the third tallest fountain in the world and walked around the lake it creates most days. Richard continued to golf weekly with a men’s group in Fountain Hills and continued to play at Viewpoint.

He had a lifelong love of hunting and fishing, and he loved his German Shorthair pups. He hunted pheasant and told stories about his remarkable dogs. They were fed the same food Joanne cooked for the two of them and when they went out to dinner, the doggie bags actually went to the dogs!

Richard was strong and athletic. He came back to Arizona from the NW where his nephew Rich had told him he should train and ride the Seattle to Portland bicycle event. He talked Diana, Ian and Ryan into buying road bikes and riding it as well. He completed the 205-mile, 2-day event two years running and he was nearly 75 YEARS OLD! He and Diana rode constantly together, it was a special time when she needed his love and guidance and he was always there, always just the riding partner she needed.

Richard’s Dad, Ruben had a saying that Richard picked up when he ate anything you made by hand for him. He would say, “Tastes like more!” Joanne and Diana cooked and baked goodies for Richard a lot. Whenever he would eat a homemade meal he would say, ‘This is the best meal I’ve ever had! One time Diana stopped him and said, ‘Dad, you say that at every meal,’ and he retorted, “It’s just my way of saying thank you.” And that was Dad. He was grateful and kind, he was always there when you needed him, even if it was just for a hug. He always showed up for everyone, for everything, to support, to smile, to tell a joke, to pick you up when you had fallen, to brush you off and say, “You got this.’ And for me personally, when I had lost my faith in mankind, he made me believe again. He was just that kind of guy.

Richard went home again on May 10th, 2026 at the age of 87 to be with his Mom and Dad, his brother Jim, daughter Diana Turk, Duke and Bingo and many other friends and relatives who must have been overjoyed to see those crystal blue eyes dancing radiantly in their presence again.

A celebration of life will be held July 11th in Mesa, Arizona, details to follow. Please RSVP to Diana Gerut at dianalynart@yahoo.com if you plan to attend and I will send you the details soon. We will also offer the service on Zoom for those who cannot physically attend. Please check in before July 11th for the time of the Zoom, we will update details on this site. Thank you.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.