Dr. Alfred D. “Dr. Alfred D. "Al" Hanson” Hanson

Dr. Alfred D. “Al” Hanson, 96, of Buchanan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at his home. Cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration will be held at 11 am on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church of Buchanan, 115 W. Front St., Buchanan. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Buchanan or to Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel, Buchanan. Al was born April 29, 1925, in Grayling, Michigan, to the late Carl and Francelia “Tete” (Corwin) Hanson. He was the eldest of four children, sister, Jeanne and brothers, Carl and David. Graduating from Grayling High School in 1943, he played varsity baseball and basketball and was Salutatorian of his class. In August 1943, he was inducted into the Army, serving over three years during WWII and spent over a year in the Army Occupation in Japan. He attained the rank of 1st Lt. and was honorably discharged in August 1946. He attended Michigan State College in a two-year pre-dental curriculum and was accepted into the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry in the fall of 1948, and a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree was received in 1952. While at Michigan State he met his future wife and lifelong companion, Mary Ellen “Chickie” Holden, a fellow student at Michigan State in the School of Home Economics. They were married in Grayling on December 26, 1948. Following graduation from dental school, the couple settled in Buchanan, MI. Dr. and Mrs. M.J. Converse were very instrumental in their decision to live in and establish a dental practice in Buchanan. He practiced dentistry for 38 years and retired from active practice May 1990. The Hanson’s had four children, twins, Lynn Mary and Leslie Carl and sons, Chris Thomas and Gordon Jerome. As a member in the First Presbyterian Church of Buchanan he served as a deacon, was a good dishwasher and occasionally won the snow lottery. Al enjoyed going deer hunting with his dad in the Grayling area in the 1950s and 60s and also did a lot of fishing during those early years. He was also very active in the Buchanan Lions Club, starting in 1952 and served as president of the club in the late 1960s. He joined Orchard Hills Country Club in 1952 and was an avid golfer and member until the present time. Al was a charter member of the Buchanan Poker Club that originated in 1952 and met every other Wednesday night for nearly forty years. Members of this club were Don Stibbs, John Moyer, Greg Gordon, Francis Mitch and Bill Fairman. This group went on many golf outings and trips to Chicago to the “Lions-Bears” games and also several trips with their wives. The most memorable was spending a week on the three masted Schooner “Queen of Sheba”, sailing in the Caribbean. He was a member of the Lakeland Dental Society, the Michigan State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He was an avid photographer all his adult life and enjoyed the creativity of working with his computer and digital camera in the later years. He had a complete woodworking shop and enjoyed woodworking and cabinetry for many years. In the late 1970s he became very interested in studying and working with stained glass and spent several years enjoying the creativity of this art form. Following is retirement in 1990, he became engrossed in radio-controlled model airplanes. As a member of the Tri Valley R.C. Club, he enjoyed the fellowship of this group of enthusiasts immensely. He built many fine, beautiful model airplanes, but alas, his flying ability left much to be desired. ‘Nuff said! As a member of the St. Joseph Valley Ski Club, he enjoyed many years of down hill skiing, both with the club with many trips to many ski areas, and with his family, all of them accomplished skiers. He was a great believer in the “whistle while you work”, and suffered from this affliction until his whistle broke. Al is survived by his children, Lynn (Tim) Heckler of Schoolcraft, Leslie (Joan) Hanson of Rocky Mount, N.C., Chris Hanson of Buchanan and Gordon (Zennie) Hanson of Yakima, WA; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and brother, Carl Hanson of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Francelia Hanson; wife of 61 years, “Chickie”; sister, Jeanne Thompson and brother, David “Skip” Hanson.