Robert J. "Ib" Hanson, age 71, died peacefully on Saturday, May 12, 2007, as a result of brain cancer. Bob is survived by Carmen, his wife of 47 years; four children and seven grandchildren: Kerry, his wife Jodi, and children Michael and Kip; Kristin, fiancé Clint Brown, and her son Pearce; Robin and her children Quinn and Madeline; and John, his wife Wyllo, and children Jack and Wyllo. Bob is further survived by brothers Larry (Lillian) Hanson and John D. (Joyce) Hanson; brother-in-law Walter Radley; mother-in-law Elizabeth Kerry; sister-in-law Sharon (Jim) Kempinger; nieces, nephews, other relatives and numerous friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents John W. and Donna V. (Devereaux) Hanson; sister Donna Radley; and father-in-law Anthony Kerry.

Bob was born in the fall of 1935 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He graduated from Waupaca High School in 1953 and served three years in the United States Army, spending 18 months in Germany. Upon leaving the service, Bob attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduating with a major in English and a minor in geology. It was in Oshkosh that Bob met and married Carmen. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1960 and moved to Beaver Dam in June of that year to teach English at the Junior High School. He taught ninth grade English for seven years, was recognized by the Jaycees as an Outstanding Young Educator, and acted as Coordinator of Federal Grants and Curriculum Director before completing his master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974. Bob was appointed interim principal of the Junior High School for the 1975 school year and rediscovered how much he enjoyed daily interaction with students and staff. He accepted the principalship permanently, leading the staff through the transition to Middle School and finally retiring in 1993 after 33 years with the Beaver Dam Unified School District.

Bob was very active in our community. He was a high school track coach for a number of years; a charter member of the Beaver Dam Community Theater; taught religious education and was a eucharistic minister for Saint Katharine Drexel Parish; and volunteered for a Lions Club vision mission to Mexico. He acted as chairman of the state committee of the North Central Evaluation for School Accreditation and served on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations, including the Community Theater, Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, the Lions Club and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

In his retirement, Bob enjoyed spending time at his cabin up north, traveling with his family and the "Fish Lips", writing poetry, doing crossword puzzles and sneaking an occasional cigar.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 18, at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Boulevard and May 19th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, 131 West Maple Avenue, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Memorials in Bob's name may be made to Hillside Hospice or Beaver Dam Relay for Life.

Please click HERE to  view Bob's Life Tribute Video.