Howard Hansen, born and reared at La Push, WA until age 14, passed into the Spirit World July 16th, 2018 attended by his wife Joanne, and a care giver. Many friends and relatives with Ceremonies and Songs reflecting his beginning amongst the Quileute people helped him along on his way. A Celebration of his Life is scheduled for Sat. August 11th 2018, 1:30- 4:30 at the Ballard Elks Club 6411 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle.
From infancy Howard was reared by the Quileute people and trained by elders to carry the oral tradition of their history and legends. His book “Twilight on the Thunderbird” is a memoir of those times’
As a youth Howard was brought to Seattle from La Push by John Hansen, a Danish boat builder in Ballard. John taught him wooden boat building: a trade he followed up and down the west coast till retirement from Foss Shipyard. Howard was on the board of the Shipwrights Local 1184 for several years. Howard also involved in running boats and fishing along the Pacific Coast, and traveled the world as a Merchant Seaman during WWII.
An artist from his beginnings Howard got a scholarship to Otis Art Institute in LA. Later he got a degree to teach art at the UW where he met his 2nd wife, Joanne, also getting a degree there to teach art. He taught one splendid year at James Monroe Junior High School. Years later, after retiring from Foss, Howard began teaching art for free to seniors at Senior Centers. Eventually he joined Seniors Making Art and taught many classes for them until they closed their foundation, as their favorite teacher. He continued teaching drawing at Ballard Senior Center, and then at Artist and Craftsman Supply and a private class on Lake Union until a few weeks before his passing.
For about 15 years Howard served on the Board of the Seattle Indian Health Board. He used his storytelling there to help bring balance to the discussions. I am grateful to SIHB and the clinic and doctors for gifting Howard with 2 years more beyond his diagnosis of throat cancer. It was they that connected with Providence Hospice of Seattle who sent very special people to the house to minister to him. I am also grateful to the VA, who arranged for vital care for Howie from caregivers near the end.
He always maintained in his heart and being the teachings of his Quileute Elders and the wisdom of John Hansen.
At the Celebration of Life if you have a story to share either by telling or leaving in written form please feel free to do so. It is going to be a potluck if you wish to bring something. Otherwise there will be nibbles.
In lieu of flowers if you want to donate to the Seattle Indian Health Board or the NW Senior Center, thank you.
His wish is for his ashes to be scattered to the Ocean at the mouth of the Quileute River beside Ah-kah-lat on the outgoing tide.
Thank you to all