Richard R. Hansen, 82, died June 7, 2005 at Whidbey General Hospital after a brief illness. He was born Jan. 11, 1923 in Seattle to Sven and Beryl Hansen. He was raised on Mercer Island, attended Bellevue and Garfield High School and Washington State University. He served in the Army during WWII and married Faith Larsen-Donnelly on Apr. 22, 1948.

Richard and Faith moved to Whidbey Island in 1949 where he purchased the Coupeville Wharf and Seed Company. While raising seven girls, he lived and farmed the original Libbey homestead (now known as Sierra Country Club). When farming declined, he took a job as an electrician at the Boeing Everett plant where he worked until retirement in 1987.

Richard was an active member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (now St. Stephen’s Anglican) where he sang in the choir and served on the vestry. He also served on the board of trustees for the Sierra Homeowners Association. Richard was an avid reader, raised honey bees, loved the outdoors, camping and hiking. He had a fascination for geology and found several fossil remains on the banks of West Beach. In 1981 he erected a “wind driven electrical generating unit” which he maintained for over 15 years.

He is survived by his wife, Faith, and seven children: Jean Iverson and husband Don of Anchorage, Alaska; Karen Salazar and husband, Lee of Edmonds; Mary Hansen of Coupeville; Ruth Sutton and husband, Steve of La Conner; Lael Johnson and husband, Bob of Mount Vernon; Carol Hansen of Bellingham; Lydia Moreno and husband, Victor of Snohomish; 13 grandchildren, Jon Iverson, Lars Iverson, Lisa Valadez, Carlo Salazar, Ricky Salazar, Debbie Salazar, Kevin Steiner, Arron Steiner, Lori Johnson, Oliver Hansen, Heather Moreno, Tessa Moreno, and Jennifer Moreno; 11 great grandchildren; and a sister, Shirley Cotter. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Hansen.

The family held a memorial service at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church on June 11. Arrangements entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.