Robert J. Hanson

On Feb. 21, 2023, Robert (Bob) Hanson went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Robert was an exemplary husband, father, worker, veteran, servant, and friend. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at Highland Park Baptist Church in Hanahan.  The family will receive friends Sunday, Feb. 26, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. NORTHWOODS Chapel, 2180 Greenridge Rd., North Charleston.  Internment with military honors, will be at Carolina Memorial Gardens, Rivers Avenue in North Charleston following Monday's service.

He had celebrated his 99th birthday three days prior to his passing, with his wife (Lois Lane), daughters, and grandson. He and Lois were to celebrate their 75th wedding Anniversary on Feb. 27. His commitment to God, family, work, and others was ever evident.  
Robert was born in Alexander City, Alabama, on Feb. 18, 1924. He grew up during the depression. As too often happened then, his family split, and around the age of 12, Robert became head of the household to his mother and younger sister. Commitment to caring for his family became his lifelong story. He worked on golf courses and in the local textile mill. As a teen, all he wanted to be was a machinist, so he moved to Charleston and started his apprenticeship at Charleston Naval Shipyard.
  
Mr. Hanson’s commitment to family never waned. He raised four children and worked many extra overtime hours to meet the family’s needs. He brought his mother to live with them for many years so he could provide for her well-being. Decades later, he also took in his 85-year-old father to care for during the last years of his life. God’s Word says to “Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Robert daily honored Lois, his parents, and his children, including all of his extended family. Therefore, God honored Robert with a long, fruitful life.
 
Robert’s commitment to his faith was evidenced by his many years as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Remount Baptist Church and other area Baptist Churches. In addition, he enjoyed decades of working with children’s and bus ministries. He loved God and spent hours every evening studying his Bible.
   
Robert also loved golf. He caddied as a teenager to help support his family, even playing twice a week into his 80’s and 90’s;   he never lost his love for the game. Even in his 90’s, he consistently beat men 25 years younger, including his son. Once, in his 80’s, he played marathon golf to raise money for a charity cause and played over 200 holes in one day. He had three other hobbies that both kept him fit and put food on the table. He was an avid fisherman and shrimper; Charleston provided many great places to do that, and the freezer was always full. He also created a large garden where he grew many fresh vegetables and fruits, so he and Lois ate healthy meals throughout their many years.

He lived to serve. Robert would volunteer with disaster relief teams, heading to hurricane-ravaged areas where he cooked hundreds of meals daily, feeding folks who had lost everything. He also rescued homeless people and found them jobs and places to stay.
As a patriot, Robert gave 30 years of his life to his country’s service, including duty in the US Navy in both World War II and Korea. In WWII, he was one of the original Seabees. He worked to become a master machinist for Shops 31 and 38 at Charleston Naval Shipyard. He believed in the American Dream and worked hard to get ahead, ultimately becoming Chief of Nuclear Maintenance for the Polaris submarine fleet stationed at Charleston. He later also worked for Westvaco as an outside machinist maintaining their massive equipment until he retired.
  
Robert leaves behind the love of his life, Lois; their four children and spouses: Wayne Hanson (Lori) of San Antonio, Dee Betsill (Bill Johnson) and Debbie (Ron) Stafford of Goose Creek, and Cathy Honeycutt (John) of Celebration, Florida; in addition to 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He also leaves a legacy of commitment, service, hard work, and living out love. He demonstrated his love in action every day.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate online to Gentiva Hospice (formerly Hospice of Charleston) at Gentivahs.com. There is a “Donate Today” link where you can state the name of person being honored (Robert Hanson of Goose Creek, SC.)