Robert Hanson
October 08, 1942 - January 27, 2017
Obituary
Robert James Hanson, 73, of Billings died January 27, 2017. Robert was born in Billings, October 8, 1942 to Harold M. and Winnie Hanson. Robert lived in Oregon: Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Beaverton and Eugene where he graduated in 1970 with a Master's in music from the University of Oregon. He also lived in Hailey, Idaho and lived and taught music many places in Montana: Melstone, Moore, Circle, Butte, Browning, Superior, Outlook, Absarokee and Billings. He was a ski instructor, as well as a music teacher. Robert taught choral and band, and was very dedicated, as he loved passing on his passion of music. He was an amazing courageous person in overcoming his struggles with depression, while teaching music for over 35 years. Survivors include his brothers Dick (Karen) Hanson and Bill Hanson; children Nathan (Claudia) Hanson, David (Anna) Cordero, Jeffrey Hanson, Sven Hanson and Kell (Breanne) Wagner. Memorial Service will be 1:00 pm Monday, February 20, 2017 at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. Memorials may go to National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI, 3333 2nd Ave. N., Suite 150, Billings, MT 59101. Memories or condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com A special thank you to the staff at Parkview Care Center in Billings.
Events
There are no events for Robert yet.
Photos
No photos of Robert have been shared yet.
Memories
JB
Joe Bradley
Other •
I attended Robert's memorial service today. I did not know him personally, but I do know his brother Bill. The service was very nice and quite comforting. I appreciated hearing the comments about and memories of Robert's life made by his children and his friends.
Robert was a musician and music teacher. I have always admired musicians. I believe that a musically talented artist is able to access parts of his brain that the non-musically inclined, such as myself, cannot, and oftentimes, the beauty he finds in his music and other talents does not transfer to the world at large. The major depression that Robert suffered certainly is not unknown among artistic people.
To me, a couple of lines from the beginning of Ginsberg's poem, "Howl", starts to describe some of the separation and isolation felt by musically talented people, because they are like: " . . . angel-headed hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry
dynamo in the machinery of night; who poverty and tatters and hollow-eyed and high stayed up smoking in the supernatural darkness of cold water flats floating across the tops of cities contemplating jazz . . ."
I don't know if this mental picture of mine applies to Robert in whole or in part, but it is an image of an artistic mind that seems relevant to me.
To Robert's family and friends, please accept my deepest sympathies.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe Bradley