Charles “Chuck” Hannan, beloved husband, father, grandfather and former high school history teacher died Sept. 2nd, 2014 in Kirkland, Wash.
Chuck was born July 10, 1933 to Charles and Cecelia Hannan in Houston, Texas and was the third born of 10 brothers and sisters who he helped support. He served his country during the Korean War with the Air Force before starting a teaching career in Austin, Texas.
Shortly thereafter, he met Myrna Ziter in Killeen, Texas and the two were married. During their 49 years of marriage they welcomed three children into the world: Michael, Nora and Mary.
Chuck graduated from the University of Portland and earned a Master’s Degree from Portland State, which helped him pursue his passion for teaching young people. His career led him to teaching assignments in Texas, Vermont and Oregon, before settling in White Salmon, Wash. where he built a picturesque home overlooking Mt. Hood. A firm, but fair teacher, he was loved and respected by those at Columbia High School in White Salmon.
Chuck was a devoted fan of the Seattle Mariners and they brought him much joy. His love of history, art, music and micro-brews were matched only by his love for his family and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, brother Michael and sisters Theresa and Ruth. He is survived by wife Myrna of Bothell, Wash.; son Mike (Ann, Will, Lucas and Matthew) of Portland, Ore.; daughters Nora Starosky (Michael and Jillian) of Kenmore, Wash. and Mary Engel (Dan, Nicholas and Lily) of Everett, Wash. and his six brothers and sisters Pat, Frances, Tim, Mary, Dan and Bill. Known to his six grandchildren as “Papa,” Chuck made it a habit to hand out five dollar bills to the kids when he visited.
A memorial service will be 9 a.m., Sept. 15, 2014 at St. Jude Catholic Church in Redmond, Wash. The internment will immediately follow at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Wash. at one o’clock. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to Lily’s Foundation, a non-profit organization named after his granddaughter, which is dedicated to autism awareness and research. Donations can be made at www.lilysfoundation.org.
As a life-long believer in the Catholic faith, three words can describe a life-well lived: Faith, Love, and Family.