Rodney D. Hansen

Obituary Rodney Hansen Nov. 20, 1935 - Aug. 9, 2013 Rod was born in Big Rapids, MI, and moved to Lakewood, WA during high school, graduating from Clover Park HS and Bates Vocational School. He worked as an operating engineer for highway construction and then as a heavy equipment mechanic for Crowley Maritime Corp the last 20 years of his work life, spending summers working on the waters around Alaska. The work was demanding and dangerous, but resulted in exciting encounters with Alaska wildlife - including a polar bear encounter and assisting the rescue of ice-bound baby walruses. He was a long standing member of Operating Engineers local 612 and OCAW. Rod and Roberta met in 1957 and were married in 1958. They lived in Lakewood for 30 years, raising their 4 children there, and then moved to Tacoma for 9 years before retiring to Ashland, OR in 2002. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Mark (Lamai), David (Illuminada), Teresa, and Eileen (Ken), 2 granddaughters, Suzanne and Lydia, 3 step-grandsons, his brother Jerry (Helga), and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his grandson Brandon, siblings Gordon and Janet, and his parents Lester and Thelma. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 12:10 p.m., at St Leo's Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the St Vincent de Paul or a charity of your choice. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.