Jack Chris Hansen, 76, died at his home in Oak Harbor on July 8, 2006, after a long battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 5, 1930 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Chris M. and Merlyn (King) Hansen.

During the Great Depression, Jack moved to Ames, Iowa and then to Yakima, Wash. There, he met his future wife, Lois L. Gillihan, who moved in across the street. Restless at age 17, he visited the Navy recruiter and received consent from his mother who signed his papers, thus beginning his naval career.

Jack was fascinated by flying, but realized he did not qualify to serve as a naval aviator. He attended Aerographer’s Mate A school and became a Navy weatherman. In later years he found himself briefing pilots at naval air stations and aboard aircraft carriers. For three years he flew as a weather observer crewmember of a Typhoon Tracking squadron out of Guam. Another highlight of his career came when his forecasting was instrumental in changing the landing site for the returning astronauts of the Apollo Eleven Mission.

Jack rose steadily through the ranks to the top Navy enlisted rating of Master Chief. Jack was selected for commission as an Ensign, thus becoming a proud member of the elite group known as “Mustangs,” officers who rose from the enlisted ranks. His final tour, as a LCDR, was as the officer in Charge of the NAS Whidbey Island Weather Unit. He retired from the Navy in 1975. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Jack never lost his ambition to fly. While on Guam, he began flying lessons. He achieved his private pilot’s license, followed by a commercial license and an instrument rating. Continuing at NAS Whidbey, he went on to obtain his Flight Instruction rating. As a civilian he became an instructor at Harvey Field in Snohomish and after earning a twin engine rating and an Airline Transport license became the chief pilot.

His reputation for excellence grew in the area and he went on to become chief pilot at Club One Flight Group at Paine Field and Competition Aircraft at Boeing Field. He served as a corporate pilot for Fisher and Sons Contracting of Skagit County and Forensic Consultants, Inc. of Anacortes. He also set up a business partnership, Multi-Engine Training Operations, and taught Advanced Flying out of Skagit County Regional Airport. Jack became an expert on flight training and a consultant to those pilots looking to buy aircraft. Many pilots he trained became airline pilots and were appreciative of the solid foundation he laid for them.

Jack began comprehensive art classes at Skagit Valley College. His design for the college newspaper logo, a cardinal, was selected to become the official moniker of that newspaper. All who were acquainted with Jack knew him to be an intelligent, talented man who was never afraid to take on new challenges. He also had quite a sense of humor.

Jack was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church of Oak Harbor; the Quiet Birdmen; the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; the Washington Pilots Association; the Naval Weather Service Association and The Retired Officers Association.

Jack’s love of flying was only overshadowed by his love for and his pride in his family. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lois L. (Gillihan) Hansen; by his four children and their spouses: Kris E. Hansen and wife Robin of Anacortes; Ray D. Hansen and wife Eileen of Seattle; Alex F. Hansen and wife Karen of Eatonville; and Patricia L. King and husband John of Sequim. In addition, his brother Michael Scholey of Issaquah and one sister, Patty Drake of Sun City, Arizona and 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren survive him.

Funeral Mass for Jack Hansen will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church on Friday, July 21, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Philip Raether as Celebrant and Rev. Raymond Heffernan as Con-Celebrant. Graveside committal prayers will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery with full military honors under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. A reception will follow at the Parish Hall. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.