Richard J. 'Dick' Hansen, 86

Richard J. “Dick” Hansen, 86, peacefully passed on Sunday, March 20, 2016, at his home in Bayview, Idaho, surrounded by his loving family and his faithful golden retriever Buddy aka “Old Yeller.”

Dick was born on May 29, 1929, in Oshkosh, Wis., to Richard and Mary Hansen. He was an Eagle Scout as a teenager and, after graduating from high school, he set his sights on becoming a forester. Dick figured heading west would provide him with a great opportunity to pursue his dream; after all the West was full of timber and seemingly endless possibilities. So with $35 in his wallet, Dick and a friend set off to hitchhike the 1,634-mile journey to the West, heading for the “Big Tree Country” of Idaho and Montana.

Dick enrolled at the University of Montana in Missoula and while attending college he would work log drives on the Clearwater River or any other logging job he could find to help pay for his college education. In 1953, Dick graduated with his bachelor of science degree in forestry. After graduating from college, Dick was hired as a forester by Potlatch Forests, Inc. and he moved to Lewiston, Idaho, to pursue his lifelong dream.

Lewiston is where Dick met his wife Shirley and they were married on Dec 31, 1955. The newlyweds headed off to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where Dick went to work for the Ohio Match Company, which later became known as Diamond International. Then in 1961, Dick decided to take a giant leap of faith and he left the world of corporate forestry to pursue his own forest consulting business. He and Shirley moved their family to Bayview in 1963 and Dick established his business, Edgewater Timber Services. During Dick's years in the forest consulting business he managed timber properties in Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Alaska; working for both private landowners and corporations.

Dick served on the Lakeland School Board for 10 years and he was especially proud to have had the opportunity to hand a high school diploma to his oldest son, Greg. He also served as president of the Bayview Chamber of Commerce and on the Kootenai County Waterways Advisory Committee, and he taught Vocational Forestry at North Idaho College for a number of years. Dick developed the Bitter End Sailboat Marina in Bayview which currently provides moorage for nearly 200 sailboats.

In May 1985, Gov. John Evans appointed Dick to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for a six-year term and he was reappointed to a second six-year term in 1991 by Gov. Cecil Andrus, who tagged Dick with the nickname “Slash.” Dick served two years as chairman of the commission, in 1988 and 1994. Dick made many lifelong friends while serving with the Idaho Fish and Game and he mentioned that he had met some of the most dedicated and hardworking personnel that he had ever worked with. This was quite a statement coming from a man that had made his living in the timber industry. Dick served the public and the department well, being a staunch supporter for local sportsmen's interests and a strong advocate for North Idaho, and he was proud of his accomplishments in conservation and his service to the citizens of Idaho.

Dick was also a devoted lifelong Green Bay Packer fan and a proud shareholder of the Packer organization. He was fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience a number of the Packer football games during his lifetime with his brother “Teamer,” including the legendary “Ice Bowl.”

Dick enjoyed restoring old cars and old cabins, hunting and fishing. He loved to garden, taking great pride in landscaping around his home and marina. Some of his favorite flowers were his daffodils, begonias, peonies, and of course his “prized Dahlias.” Each year, he would look forward to the upcoming season and he would start planning for it. Dick especially loved Lake Pend Oreille “The Big Hole” and the community of Bayview, often saying that he had never found another place as beautiful as Bayview.

Family and friends were of the utmost importance to Dick and he spent many hours spending time with them. With some of his greatest joys coming from time spent with his seven grandchildren and his six great-grandchildren, who loved him as their “Papa.” Dick had a “big heart” and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need. He touched many lives throughout his 86 years and because of that he leaves behind a huge void for those who knew him and loved him.

Dick is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 60 years, Shirley; his special brother, Tom “Teamer” (Linda) Hansen; his children, Greg (Debbie) Hansen, Chris (Cindy) Hansen, Cami (Mark) Duclos, and Shiraz (Sigrid) Vira; his grandchildren, Ryan Hansen, Rod (Holli) Hansen, Jared (Alise) Hansen, Sarah (Eric) Nave, Staci (Brad) Harmon, Jack Duclos, and Randy Duclos; his great-grandchildren, Keely, Faith, Katie, Levi, Kyler and Kade; his nephews, Eric Hansen, and Scott (Kathie) Hansen; and his great-nephew and great-niece, Bryce and Leah Hansen; as well as additional extended family members.

A memorial Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2016, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Sandpoint, Idaho, with Father Dennis C. Day officiating. Donations can be made in memory of Richard Hansen to the Bayview Community Center, P.O. Box 493 Bayview, ID. 83803 or to Hospice of North Idaho.

Family and friends are invited to sign Dick's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.