Bob Hanson
2013 Potomac Citizen of the Year
At age 21, Bob Hanson was named the first national president of the Rural Youth of the United States of America, a federation of youths involving Boy and Girl Scout troops, Future Farmers of America, 4-H Clubs, “and groups instrumental in learning from others,” he said. In the mid-1950s he was chairman of the Bethesda branch of the YMCA and was instrumental in raising money for their building on Old Georgetown Road. He was equally successful in getting property donated in the 1960s for the Boy Scout headquarters on Rockville Pike. For 33 years he was an allied member of the New York Stock Exchange.
Married to the late JoAnne Dinwell in 1950, the Hansons had three sons, John, Timothy and Charles. John, Tim and their families live nearby in North Potomac. A third son, Charles, (Chuck) and his family live in Colorado.
For over 60 years he has been a member of the Rockville Rotary Club. In 1958, he founded the Potomac Rotary Club. He has been a board member of the American Automobile Association; Montgomery County Fair (he was an original member); 4-H Club (he was a national president); and Future Farmers of America. However, his involvement with the YMCA probably the most satisfying of his civic involvements. [Excerpted from connectionnewspapers.com.]
Memories:
"He lived a good life and sure lived as a true Rotarian. I loved going out to his ‘farm’ and seeing his old car." - Jason Hamel