Scott D. Hanson

Scott David Hanson entered this earth as the second son of Lynette and Roy Hanson Jr on February 26, 1961 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was baptized in the Lutheran faith.

 Our husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and cousin, Scott, had many hills to climb in his lifetime. But we don’t think there’s anything that Scott couldn’t learn. He grew up primarily in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he also confirmed his Lutheran faith at age 14. Scott was eager to learn all that he could and even taught himself to play many musical instruments, mostly by ear. He lived in 11 different cities including living and working for many years in New York City. He earned his Associate’s degree in Broadcasting from Herkimer College in Upstate New York. After Herkimer, he moved to New York City to pursue broadcasting, music, and theatre, eventually earning a significant role in an Off-Broadway play. While being legally blind, he learned to drive, and received a restricted New York State driver’s license. He also earned a Certificate in Computer Networking from Chubb Institute of Technology in NYC. After the 9/11 attacks on New York City, seeking adventure and purpose, he moved to China to teach English to children, which he thoroughly enjoyed and excelled at. He also found love. Upon returning to the U.S., he married Hong Lin (Sandy) on August 28, 2009.

 Even while navigating health complications and Los Angeles mass transit he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 2016 and Master of Arts English: Teaching English as a Second Language in 2018 from Cal State Dominguez Hills ... all with straight A’s. He was deeply devoted to teaching his international students via a program affiliated with Citrus College. 

 He loved his family and did what he could to support everyone’s passions and pursuits without judgment. In every greeting card Scott ever sent, his words were far from superficial greetings we all tend to pen and instead always heartfelt, neatly scribed, poignant sentiments.

Scott passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 10, 2019, after the fall semester had ended. We know he is now in heaven with his family and friends that preceded him in death, teaching and probably debating a little too. May the lives and minds he impacted always remember him.

Scott is survived by his wife Sandy (Hong Lin), mother and step-father Lynette and Robert Jacques, brother and sister in law Steve and Kelly Hanson, sister Dawn Christensen, sister and brother in law Rachel and Mike Scott, niece Emma Scott, nephews Parker Christensen and Graham Scott, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 Scott’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service on January 10 at White’s Funeral Home in Azusa, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Scott’s honor to an organization that was helpful to him in his formative years and he later volunteered with, Lions Club International. Should you have any unused glasses to donate, we will be collecting glasses and frames for donation at his memorial as well.

https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/donate

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Scott D. Hanson, please visit our Tree Store.