HANSON, RALPH M. "SWEDE"
Capt. Ralph "Swede" Hanson, USN (Ret.) passed away
peacefully on Sunday, January 27, 2002 at age 82 in San Diego, CA. He will be greatly
missed by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.
He was born June 12, 1919 at Lake Amelia, MN. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in the Class of 1943. Upon graduation, he married his sweetheart Ann Hardy, with whom he shared a loving marriage for 58 years. During WWII, he served aboard the USS Boston, participating in the Pacific campaigns from the Marshall Islands to Iwo Jima.
During his 30 year Naval career, Capt. Hanson served his country with honor and distinction through WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. He served on six ships (commanding the USS McCoy Reynolds, the USS Henry W. Tucker, and the USS Paricutin), and eight shore stations (Commanding Officer of the Naval Ammunition Depot in McAlester, OK and of the Nuclear Weapons Training Group, North Island, San Diego). He earned his Masters at Purdue University, and numerous awards and commendations, both military and civilian.
Captain Hanson retired from the Navy July 1, 1972 and devoted his leisure years to his family, tutoring, genealogy, and the Hall of Champions museum. He is survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Karen, his sons Thomas and David, and his granddaughter Amy.
A memorial service will be Monday, February 4 at 10am in Glenn Abbey’s Chapel of the Roses in Bonita. In the Naval tradition, his ashes will be scattered at sea. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends remember Swede with a donation to a charity of their choice. Please visit his memorial website at http://www.daveswarbirds.com/dad.