Donald W. Hanson

Dr. Donald W. Hanson, born March 9, 1945, in Jamestown, NY, lived a life defined by intelligence, integrity, service and an extraordinary devotion to the people he loved.

Don graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in electrical engineering (1968) and later earned a Master of Science in electrical engineering (1973) and Doctor of Philosophy in electrical engineering (1981), both from Syracuse University.

In 1968, Don moved to Rome, NY, to begin what would become a more than 41-year career as a civilian in the Air Force. When Don retired in 2009, he was the Director of the Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory. He was a member of the Senior Executive Service, wrote or co-wrote more than 10 publications in the fields of photonics, radar and adaptive optics and held two patents with co-inventors. In 2004, Don was named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In 2005, he received the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award. Don possessed a brilliant mind, but what made him truly exceptional was how he chose to use it.

Don may have moved to Rome for work, but as it turned out, Rome gave him something far more valuable than a career. It gave him the love of his life, Sue, his wife of 55 years. Not surprisingly, their first date was skiing at Gore Mountain. What is perhaps more surprising is that Sue agreed to a second date after discovering Don wasn’t quite the skier he might have led her to believe. Together, they built a life centered on family, faith and the simple things that matter most. Don’s greatest accomplishments were never measured by professional titles or academic degrees. They were found in showing up for his daughters’ softball games and gymnastics meets, his grandson’s ski races, helping with homework, eating dinner as a family, going to church and enjoying nature as much as possible.

His retirement did little to slow him down. He served for more than 10 years on the boards of directors of NYSTEC, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Rome Health and the American Red Cross. For years, Don donated platelets every two weeks, recently earning a pin marking his donation of 450 units. Service was never something Don talked about as an obligation. It was simply how he lived.

Don also knew how to enjoy life. He loved a glass of Finger Lakes Riesling, a cold IPA, ski trips out West, long bike rides, Sundays at First Presbyterian Church, bonfires with neighbors and happy hour with friends. He brought his own special enthusiasm to family traditions, particularly the post-Christmas dinner game of bingo. No one could call a game quite like Don.

If we are lucky, we get to know someone who shows us what a good life looks like. Don was that person. He showed us that a life is not measured by how much money you make, how many titles you hold, or how many accomplishments you collect. It is measured by how you love, how you serve, how you show up and how much better you leave the world than you found it.

For more than 80 years, Don did all those things. His life made a difference. His love will carry on through his family and his example will stay with all of us. We were lucky to have him. We are better for having loved him. And we will miss him more than words can say.

Don is survived by his wife, Sue; sisters, Beverly Fricks (Tim) and Maureen England; daughters, Pam Hanson (Andy Lassetter) and Kim Hanson (Frank Squadrito); grandson, Austin Howard; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry Hanson; grandson, Nicholas Hanson; and brother-in-law, Alan England.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Barry Funeral Home, 807 West Chestnut Street, Rome. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Zion Church, 140 West Liberty Street, Rome.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society or to your church. Even better, rake your neighbor’s lawn, greet everyone you see with a kind word and a smile (and mean it) and eat dinner with your family. That is what Don would have done.

Arrangements with Barry Funeral Home, Rome. Send messages of condolence to www.barryfuneralhome.com.