Obituary for Richard E. Hanson

Richard E. Hanson was born November 24, 1958, in Ames, Iowa to Daryl and Linda (Merrick) Hanson as the third of six siblings. He took his final breath on June 13, 2025, at MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, as a result of cardiac arrest after a lifetime with type 1 diabetes.  He approached life with vigor, tenacity, and perseverance and fought every day to never complain, even after his body began to fail him.  When the world saw a 10 on the pain scale, he always told you and himself it was just a 2.  

He graduated from Mormon Trail High School in 1977 before attending the University of Iowa planning to be a doctor. Two years later he married his high school sweetheart Karin Moore.  They continued at Iowa for a year until it was clear that numbers and accounting were his career calling.  They transferred to American Institute of Business in Des Moines where he earned his Associates Degree in Accounting and Business Management.  He then enrolled at Simpson College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and ultimately becoming a CPA in 1987. With many stops along the way he finished a successful 35 year career with his dream job, being the General Manager CFO of an ethanol producer. 

Rich’s career was one of his most cherished accomplishments, but it paled in comparison to being a father to his three children. He never missed an opportunity to get in a little more work, but it was never at the expense of eating dinner and spending evenings with his family and showing up to every single thing they were involved in. He was a lead by example kind of guy, teaching his children the value of hard work and pursuing their dreams even when they weren’t his dreams. He imparted that no matter how tough things get, it will always get better. His glass was always at least 1/2 full.  Other lessons he made sure to teach were how not to carve a pumpkin, the dangers of rollerblading at the age of 40, to show up at the band concert even if it makes you fall asleep, and that speed limits are purely a suggestion.  

While his marriage to Karin ended, their friendship and commitment to being a family endured.  All holidays, all special events and even some vacations were spent together as a growing family. He dearly loved his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends, taking every opportunity to show up for them.

After many years of single life, he met a very special lady, Gina Johnson, and they spent the last 18 months together living the dream. They traveled all the time, worked on home and vehicle projects, and won countless awards showing off his pride and joy 1968 Chevrolet C10.

Rich had a passion for classic cars and motorcycles, owning many over his lifetime. He found great pride in driving, riding, and working on all of them. He could fix or build anything and never passed up the opportunity to do something himself rather than trust it to a professional.  He regularly said “I’m just resting my eyes” because he didn’t want to miss out on a thing and it wasn’t sleeping if he hadn’t intentionally made his way to his bed. So, Dad, turn on the TV and rest your eyes and we won’t tell you to go to bed this time.  

Rich is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Daryl Wayne Hanson and his sister Janet Schutte.

He is survived by his 3 children and their families Bethany (Andy) Turner, Charlie, Graham and Lois Louise of West Plains, MO, Shafer (Kailey) Hanson of West Des Moines, IA, and Trevor (Abigael) Hanson, Waylon and Palmer of Carbondale, CO, his partner Gina Johnson, three siblings, Cindy (Ed) DeKock, Claudia (Leonard) Brown, and Patrick (Brenda) Hanson, and husband-in-law Kent (Karin) Acheson along with many nieces, nephews and their children. 

To celebrate a tremendous 66 years of life, please join his family and friends in a true celebration to be held June 19, 2025, at the Humeston Community Center in Humeston, Iowa beginning at 4 p.m. If you have one bring your hot rod, motorcycle, or classic car to have one final car show.  Open mic and stories at 6 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mormon Trail Chamber for the Watermelon Day Celebration.