Richard Charles 'Rick' Hansen, 74

Richard Charles “Rick” Hansen, 74, of Coeur d’Alene, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2020, surrounded by loved ones after a brief battle with cancer. He was born on Sept. 16, 1946, to parents Junior William Hansen and Mildred Ruth Hansen (Elder), in Coalinga, Calif. Rick’s father passed away at the age of 31, when Rick was only a year old, leaving his mother to raise him and his older brother, Hal, alone. They moved to Fresno, Calif. That is where he spent his childhood. He later graduated from Fresno High School in 1964.

Rick then joined the United States Air Force in 1965, during the Vietnam War. He was trained to be an electrician and then worked on fighter jets in Thailand, where he was stationed. He remained in Thailand for a year and then returned to Castle, Calif., to serve in the Air Force until 1969.

He met the love of his life, Nancy Lantis, shortly after leaving the military. They were married on March 10, 1969. They moved to Georgia and welcomed their first daughter, Shannon Hansen, in 1970. After a brief time in Georgia, they moved back to Fresno, where Rick eventually started his own business, THE Electric Company.

In 1984, Nancy and Rick welcomed their second daughter, Lindsey. While in California, Rick was very involved at People’s Church for several years. Rick had a heart for reaching out to people personally to tell them about Christ. He was involved in Evangelism Explosion, which led him to minister to many. This was one of Rick’s passions and his heart for others was evident as he shared in this ministry.

The family moved to Coeur d’Alene, in 1994. He began working with BCL Electric, which is now called Cheetah Electric. He worked there until retirement in 2020. He was also an instructor for CITC, a trade school, in Spokane, Wash., working with those who were earning their journeyman license. He found his work with students to be very fulfilling.

Rick was a gifted electrician and teacher, but his true calling was a husband, dad, friend and conversationalist. He loved Jesus and his legacy is that his children and grandchildren would know the same personal relationship. He will be missed, but he is with his beloved, Nancy. His children and grandchildren look forward to seeing him in Eternity.

Rick is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; his parents and his brother. He is survived by his daughters, Shannon Louise Hansen and Lindsey Erin Rahn; Lindsey’s husband, Christopher Rahn; and granddaughters, Alexis Hansen, Carsyn and Avery Rahn.