John Hanson | Obit

John Eric Hanson

October 28, 1932- May 5, 2026

John Eric Hanson touched so many people in his 93 years of life and will be sorely missed by all. John passed away on May 5, 2026 in Bellevue, Washington alongside his three children.

John’s life was as diverse and colorful as his personality. He was born in Chicago on October 28,1932 to Swedish immigrant parents and later attended Wheaton College where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.

After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and spent two years in flight training before receiving his wings in 1955. He served as a flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida and then in the Reserves for ten years. John was discharged with the impressive rank of Lieutenant Commander. Throughout his life, he remained enthralled with anything having to do with aeronautics and attended air shows all over the country. He last watched the Blue Angels fly in August, 2025 for Sea Fair in Washington.

In 1957, he was admitted to University of Michigan School of Law and received his degree in 1960. After graduation, he and his young family moved to Washington where they settled on Mercer Island and he served as a member of the Rotary Club for decades, eventually becoming President. For six years, he worked for a prominent downtown Seattle law firm and then moved his practice to Bellevue in 1966. Today, Hanson Baker Attorneys still carries John’s name as one of its founding partners.

John retired in 2000 and built his dream ocean front home on Lopez Island where he enjoyed his lifelong hobbies of reading and photography. He remained an avid traveler throughout his life and loved exploring new cultures, food and people. His curiosity about everything and anything remained a mainstay of his personality and a source of his keen intellect. His questions were always targeted and genuine and his short statements of wisdom and poignant ‘one-liners’ served to entertain and guide his children and grandchildren.

John married in 1955 and had three children – Kim, Brad and Kandis. He is survived by his three children and his brother, James D. Hanson, a retired physician in Seattle. John was extremely proud of his six grandchildren – Cameron, Kristen, Travis, Gabe, Andrew and Patrick -and welcomed their calls and visits with tremendous appreciation and gratitude.

The Memorial service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery Friday, August 14th at 1pm where he will be honored for his significant service and ranking. Please contact Kandis at kandis.h.wrigley@gmail.com for additional information.