Charles Earl Hansing

Charles Earl Hansing was born March 20, 1938, in Ithaca, New York, and died January 12, 2012 on Mercer Island.He grew up, the oldest of five children, in Manhattan, Kansas, and was active in Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout award. Chuck attended college and medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He got his M.D. degree in 1965 and a month later married Ruth Glendening, who had grown up across the street from him. After completing an internship and internal medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin, he entered the U.S. Navy as a medical officer, serving on a destroyer during the Vietnam War. He then completed his training in cardiology at the University of Washington. Both Chuck and Ruth fell in love with the Seattle area, so Chuck joined Dr. Allen Doan in forming the Bellevue Cardiology Clinic. Dr. Doan, along with Chuck, was instrumental in getting the Medic One Program started in Bellevue. Chuck was responsible for helping start the first Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Overlake Hospital and also encouraging the initiation of a heart surgery program there.Chuck and Ruth moved to Mercer Island in 1972 and have lived there ever since, sending all four of their children through the Mercer Island schools. Chuck was active in the community, serving as a soccer coach for 17 years, singing in the church choir, and being a chaperon and enthusiastic participant on many Boy Scout 50-mile hikes, church youth back- packing trips, and house-building trips to Mexico. He also served on the boards of the Northwest Soccer Camp, Mercer Island Schools Foundation, and King County Medic One and was a dedicated member of Mercer Island Rotary and his beloved men’s group The Wranglers. In his last few years he especially enjoyed attending the Senior Social program at Mercer Island Community Center. Chuck was an avid tennis player, skier, home vintner, photographer, woodworker, and was proud to have summited Mt. Rainier twice, once with each of his daughters. Most of all, he loved practicing cardiology and spending time with his family. He was a kind and humble man with a wry sense of humor and a strong moral compass. He enjoyed life to the fullest and will be missed by all who knew him. He was predeceased by his brother Richard and is survived by his sister Lynn, brothers Ron and Mac, wife Ruth, children Kristin (Mike) LaCroix, Erik (Britt), Maggie (Justin) Angle, and Duncan (Sara). Chuck also leaves five grandchildren: Anthony, Connor, Lindsay, Ainslie, and Charlotte. A memorial service will be held at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church on Friday, January 27 at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Medic One, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Mercer Island Presbyterian Church.