Stanley Hansen

Stanley G. Hansen, 88, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. on Sept. 29, 2010, at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born Nov. 4, 1921, to Percy and Lillian Hansen in Yonkers, N.Y., the first of two children. He graduated from the New York State Maritime Academy at Fort Schuyler in 1942. He subsequently served as chief engineer aboard several ships as part of the Merchant Marines during World War II, transporting cargo and troops overseas.

On leave for one fateful blind date, he met the woman to whom he would be married for the next 54 years. He left the sea and married Betsy Ludlow on Dec. 14, 1947, in Bridgehampton, N.Y.

Stanley joined The Travelers Insurance Co.’s Engineering and Loss Control Division in 1948 and progressed through offices in New York City, Kansas City, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Dallas and finally the home office in Hartford. He never missed a day of work in 36 years and retired as the director of the Special Accounts Engineering Unit in 1984 .

He enjoyed fishing for blue fish in Long Island Sound, golfing, gardening, woodworking, bowling, crossword puzzles and playing a game of hearts. He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees. He was soft spoken, kind, a devoted family man, a strong believer in the golden rule and a model citizen.

Although always a New Yorker, Stanley moved to Montana with his wife in 1995 to be near his children. He lived in Bigfork and Whitefish.

He was preceeded in death by his wife and his brother Donald.

He is survived by his daughter Gail and husband Norman, of Whitefish; son Barry and wife Anita, of Polson; granddaughters Christina, Elizabeth and Lauren; and grandsons Warren and Robin and his wife Karen.

Stanley’s family is planning a celebration of his life in Montana and New York.