Richard Earl Hanlen
March 20, 1923 - February 20, 2015
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Richard Earl Hanlen
March 20, 1923 - February 20, 2015
Obituary
Richard earl hanlen, 91, passed away february 20, 2015. He was born in greenbrier county on march 20, 1923 and spend the next 16 years of his life there, before moving to charleston.
An avid athlete, he played football and basketball at charleston high school and lettered in both. Upon his graduation in 1941, richard enrolled at west virginia university.
His studies there were interrupted by world war ii, when he enlisted in the navy for pilot training.
He was officially designated as a naval aviator in may, 1945. Richard was assigned to the uss hancock where he flew fighter missions and continued his military service for 20 years.
After the war, richard returned to wvu to complete his education and received 3 baccalaureate degrees: bs in business administration, be in engineering and bs in oil and gas engineering. He spent the next 38 years of his life with columbia gas.
Richard married his childhood sweetheart, virginia judy in june 1945; a union that would last for the next 52 years until her death in 1997.
Richard was a member of phi sigma kappa fraternity, the charleston exchange club, the charleston for change club and was part of the morning coffee group that met at the strand for many years. Richard was deeply devoted spiritually as a methodist who attended church services in the navy, in college and at his believed christ church united methodist.
Throughout his life he shared a deep and enduring love for his daughter and was a vital part of her life. They became inseparable companions, enjoying many of life’s activities together.
Richard is survived by his daughter, judy; nephew, mark hanlen cunningham; niece, amy bertram cunningham; and great- niece, helen bertram cunningham.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the union mission ministries to honor richard.
A graveside memorial service is planned at a later date. He will be interred with his beloved wife, virginia, in greenbrier county.
Barlow bonsall funeral home is entrusted with the arrangements.
3 responses to Richard Earl Hanlen
King Family says:
August 10, 2021
Location: Ohio
I Did Not Know Mr. Hanlen But I Know How Hard It Can Be To Lose A Loved One In Death So I Wanted To Say I Am Very Sorry For Your Loss. The Scripture That Has Given Me Comfort At Times Like This Is The One Found At Revelation 21:4 That Says, “And He Will Wipe Out Every Tear From Their Eyes, And Death Will Be No More, Neither Will Mourning Nor Outcry Nor Pain Be Anymore. The Former Things Have Passed Away.” So God Has Promised That In The Very Near Future We Will Never Have To Experience The Pain Associated With Death Anymore. I Pray That This Gives The Family Some Comfort During This Difficult Time.
King Family says:
August 10, 2021
Location: Ohio
I Did Not Know Mr. Hanlen But I Know How Hard It Can Be To Lose A Loved One In Death So I Wanted To Say I Am Very Sorry For Your Loss. The Scripture That Has Given Me Comfort At Times Like This Is The One Found At Revelation 21:4 That Says, “And He Will Wipe Out Every Tear From Their Eyes, And Death Will Be No More, Neither Will Mourning Nor Outcry Nor Pain Be Anymore. The Former Things Have Passed Away.” So God Has Promised That In The Very Near Future We Will Never Have To Experience The Pain Associated With Death Anymore. I Pray That This Gives The Family Some Comfort During This Difficult Time.
Jeffrey A Bailey says:
August 10, 2021
Relationship: Fraternity Brother
Location: Morgantown West Virginia
Judy,
The Recent Article In The Charleston Newspaper About Your Father Was Circulated Widely Among Our Various Alumni Email Chains. I Did Not Know Your Father Personally But We Are Proud That He Was A Phi Sig And Lived A Long And Productive Life. If You Have Any Memorbilia Of His Days At Phi Sigma Kappa That You Would Like To Donate To The Alumni Association, We Would Be Happy To Receive Any Pictures Ets From His Time Here, This May In Some Small Way Be A Way To Presevre His Memory . We Have Some Historical Efforts Being Made By Our Alumni Of Days Gone By .If So,You Can Contact Me . With Deepest Regrets As He Passes Into The Chapter Eternal Fraternally Yours,
Jeffrey A Bailey 304 552 2359