Terrance Hansen

“Terry” Hansen, age 86, of Bellingham said “So Long Everybody, I had a Good Life” as he passed away peacefully January 14, 2023 at his home due to complications from heart disease. Born on the 11th day of June 1936 in Bellingham WA, he was the beloved son of Doeina (Perry) Hansen & Harry Hansen. He was soon greeted by his baby sister, Judeth in 1940. Terry and Judy grew up together through Birchwood Elementary and the middle school years where he learned to play the piano, then he graduated from Bellingham High in June 1954. He went on to join the Air Force, stationed at Wendover AFB in Utah. His favorite memory of that time was being stationed briefly in France, with interest in Still Photography and the lovely French ladies he met. When he came back to Bellingham, Terry met Darlene Scheibner at the Westerm Washington University, they married soon after and their daughter Tristina was born in December 1959. They divorced from their two-year marriage when Terry moved to California to continue college by day and worked as a hospital intern at night. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1962. He completed his 2 yr Associates in Arts at Ventura College and earned his Doctor of Optometry at Oregon’s Pacific University in 1968. About that time, he met and married Gaye Woods. Terry and Gaye moved back to his hometown in Bellingham, WA in 1968 yet not so long after, that marriage ended as well. Terry set out to build his own home in Bellingham, landscaped his property like a park and enjoyed a “Good Life” as he’s stated many times. Working on his property was his passion, while his career as an Optometrist in Skagit and Whatcom County enabled him to have the life he loved. He retired early, in his 50’s, to pursue the carefree bachelor lifestyle he loved. He was reunited with his daughter Tristina (Rapid City, SD) later in the ’70’s and in 1990 was blessed with a granddaughter, Tayler Weekley (CA). His niece Carissa has some of the best memories of the family gatherings at the Bellingham Yacht club in the ‘70’s and early 80’s, plus the family holiday’s at his sister Judy’s home, hanging out with the elusive Terry, aka “Uncle Scrooge”. During the hot summer days, we’d all be found down at the beach by his home, cooling off on our floaties while he swam around us in his Speedo acting out “Jaws” or on walking the beach mimicking Tarzan. Swimming, boating, his religious workouts at the Bellingham Athletic Club (thank you to all that knew him there) and bicycling kept him in tip top shape until his 80’s. More than bicycling he loved handball, playing against anyone who dared think they could oust “Dr Hansen” when he was in his prime. For relaxation, Terry enjoyed playing the piano; the closest neighbors all heard him conquering any piece he set his mind to with his favorites of: As Time Goes By, Laura, It’s Easy To Say (from the movie “10” played by Dudley Moore), I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Feelings, Misty, Moonlight Sonata and When I Fall In Love among many others. Terry loved many women, re-married a couple of times briefly, yet was continually kept amused by his two nieces, Carissa (& Matt) Conour and Sharmin (Brown Lagerwey) Brooks as they grew up while hanging out with their mom Judy down at the beach off Chuckanut. He kept up with his nieces as they matured into their own careers, had their own families and enjoyed bantering back and forth when feeling sociable. Terry was always above all else health conscious of himself, he bicycled innumerable of times to his niece Carissa’s house to research the latest anti-aging options online from torn out articles, always mindful of staying fit and trim (oh the raw garlic was a real stinker!). She will miss the ding of his bicycle bell, Terry bellowing out loud as he bicycled down her driveway to the amusement of the neighbors as well. He was an incorrigible bachelor to the very end. A Celebration of Life will be held later this year, date TBD.

Terrance Hansen

June 11, 1936 - January 14, 2023