Robert Hanson was born August 24, 1932 in a home in Union county, South Dakota to Lars and Alma (Anderson) Hanson. He died August 12, 2016 at the Alcester Care and Rehab Center in Alcester, SD at the age of 83 years, 11 months and 18 days.

He was raised in southeastern SD with his seven siblings and attended Emmett School.  Bob joined the US Air Force in 1952 during the Korean War and served for 20 years. On November, 9, 1957 while stationed at Kelly Air Base in San Antonio, TX he met and married Shirley Lebahn. During his military career he was stationed in Japan, Pennsylvania, New York, Okinawa and California. Following his retirement in 1972 he and Shirley moved to Bellevue, Nebraska where Bob worked as a clerk for the US Postal service in Omaha. In 1992 he retired and they spent time in Arkansas and moved home to Alcester in 2005. After Shirley's death in July of 2007, Bob continued to live in Alcester.

He and Shirley liked to "go fishing" in Sioux City with his niece, Sherry Peters. Having an outgoing personality, Bob liked meeting and visiting with everyone.

Survivors include his two daughters, DeAnna Lackney of Noblesville, IN and Melody Hanson of Louisville, NE; three granddaughters, Crystal, Shelby and Emily; one great-granddaughter, Lily; one brother, Kenny Hanson and his wife, Phyllis of Maynard, AR; one sister, Lois Jensen of Cambridge, MN; many nieces and nephews including a special niece, Sherry Peters and her husband Mike of Alcester. His parents, wife, three brothers, Rodney, Darrell and Palmer; and two sisters, Adell Offerdahl and Evelyn Solberg preceded him in death.