Richard "Rich" Hansen's Obituary
Richard "Rich" Hansen passed away on July 27, 2026, at the age of 76 in Fort Myers Florida.
Born in Illinois on March 15, 1950, Rich was the beloved son of the late Fred and Jeanne (Schleif) Hansen. He grew up surrounded by a close-knit family and carried a deep devotion to his loved ones his entire life. Rich was a creative problem solver who truly thrived on fixing things, a trait that defined both his personal life and his remarkable professional career.
Rich was the cherished husband of Sue Hansen (nee Goecke/Cramer). Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared memories. He was a proud and devoted father to Nina (Dr. Cristina) and Steve Hansen, always offering his unwavering support and guidance.
As the protective and loving big brother, Rich will be deeply missed by his sisters: Cindy and her husband Jim Neff, Cheryl and her husband Dave Boyer, and Chrissy and her husband Gary Watson. He also holds a special place in the hearts of his many wonderful nieces and nephews, who will always remember him fondly as their "Uncle Rich."
A lifelong learner, Rich was a civil engineer with a minor in chemistry, attending both the University of Wisconsin and the University of Illinois Chicago. His varied and impactful career began on the ground as a foreman for a road crew during his college summers.
His brilliant mind for innovation later led him to become a successful inventor, designing groundbreaking machinery for the distillation of toxic solvents. Rich concluded his professional journey as an entrepreneur, founding and operating his last company, which manufactured components for automation systems.
Rich was also deeply dedicated to his community. He gave generously of his time, serving as a Township Trustee for 12 years and as a member of the Huntley (Illinois) School District Board of Education. He was a committed member of the Lions Club, where his exceptional dedication was recognized with the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship award.
Outside of his professional and civic work, Rich embraced life with energy and enthusiasm. He was a man of many many passions, which included boating, snowmobiling, fishing, classic car reconstruction, and playing the trombone in community bands.
Rich will be remembered for his kindness, his brilliant mind, his service to others, and the warmth he brought to the lives of everyone who knew him. A celebration of Rich's life will be held in the Midwest at a yet to be determined date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either https://Lionsclubs.org or to the https://Leecountyband.org. The family would also love you to share your stories about Rich – did he help you fix anything? Make an impact on you? Favorite memory? Please share them in the comment section. TIA~
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