Robert Richard Hansen, 99, of Fillmore, CA passed away on January 1, 2025, in Ojai, CA. Robert was born in Oconto, WI to Ole Hansen (Norway) and Jennie Gilbertson Hansen (Wisconsin) on December 31, 1925. He attended Oconto High School and graduated on May 25, 1944. On July 3rd, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy at Naval Recruiting Station in Milwaukee, WI. On that day he reported for active duty and was transferred to Farragut, Idaho. On December 22, 1944, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Lanier and served on that vessel until March 5, 1946. He was honorably discharged on May 2nd, 1946, from Personal Separation Center, Great Lakes, Il with ranking of Seaman First Class, USNR. He was awarded The WW II American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button, and Navy Honorable Discharge Button. His tour on the U.S.S. Lanier took him to Iwo Jima, Saipan, Okinawa, Guam, Nagasaki, Yokosuka, Manilla Bay, New Guinea, Hollandia and Finschhafen. Through the GI Bill Education Benefits he took courses in photography at Yale University. He married Patricia Jeanne Mullen on February 13, 1954, at St. Joseph Church in Oconto, WI. A union that lasted until Patricia’s passing on August 12, 2015. While still in the Green Bay area he was assigned to take photos for the Green Bay Packers. They moved to California and in 1957 Robert apprenticed at the Fillmore Studio in Fillmore, CA. He eventually became owner/operator of the photography studio creating photos of weddings, portraits, engagements, anniversaries, and many local events. He provided families in the Fillmore Unified School District with school pictures from kindergarten to senior portraits. He also developed pictures, sold and fixed cameras, and processed film. He retired after the destruction of The Fillmore Studio by the Northridge Earthquake on January 17, 1994. He was employed by the Fillmore Unified School District working at Fillmore High School during the 1970’s. He enjoyed the game of golf since a very early age beginning with caddying at the Oconto Golf Course, then playing with his foursome (Roger Palmer, Bob Stroh, Ken Mittan) for many years and finally hitting his last ball with his granddaughter, Allisen, on his birthday at age 93. He enjoyed correspondence with family and friends. He was always available to lend a hand from driving friends to appointments to digging ditches and planting avocados to babysitting the grandchildren. He will be remembered in his neighborhood for his simple expressive paintings on a certain tree in his front yard. He possessed a cleverness and humor that will be sorely missed.
Robert is survived by son Robert Hansen (Beverly), daughter Susan Hansen Wileman, grandchildren Erik Hansen (Jennifer), Allisen Hansen Carmichael (Austin), Kendall Wileman, five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. And his beloved dog Snoopy. He is preceded in death by his wife Patricia Jeanne Mullen Hansen, parents Ole Hansen and Jennie Gilbertson Hansen, brothers Carl, Harry, Ralph, Stanley, Kenneth, and grandson Dennis (Bo) Wileman. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to his favorite charity, Boys Town (www.boystown.org). The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Ojai Hospital for their professional expertise and true compassion, to Stella Villasana for her skillful care and support, and to Bob Stroh for his steadfast friendship.
His remains will be laid to rest with full military honors in the Hansen family plot on July 25, 2025, at 10:00 am at Riverside Cemetery in Menominee, MI followed by a gathering of family and friends at the Riverside Country Club next to the cemetery.