Frank Hansen, longtime commercial airline pilot and the first mayor of the City of SeaTac, died of cancer at his home on Dec. 21, 2013. He was 87.
Frank was born on Nov. 18, 1926 in Spokane, Wash., the fifth of six children. His mother, Vesta Alexander, was the descendant of Spokane homesteaders. His father, Bernard, immigrated to the U.S. from Norway and was an early barnstormer pilot. Frank graduated from North Central High School and learned to fly at Felts Field in Spokane, soloing on June 27, 1944. He headed to Anchorage to take his first commercial flying job for famed Alaska bush pilot Bob Reeve and Reeve Aleutian Airlines.
Frank’s aviation career spanned 50 years, five airlines, numerous aircraft and more than 25,000 hours of scheduled flying.
In 1950, Frank – nicknamed “Red” for his vibrant red hair – joined Pacific Northern Airlines, where he became chief pilot and flew DC-3’s, DC-4’s and the Lockheed Constellation.
When PNA merged with Western Airlines (The Only Way to Fly) in 1967, Frank made the transition from propellers to jets. During his tenure at Western, Frank flew the B-720B, B-727 and DC-10. He was active in joint ALPA/Western Airlines legislative affairs, particularly surrounding the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. He retired as a senior captain for Western in 1986.
The Federal Aviation Administration awarded Frank the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2007. The award recognizes pilots who have demonstrated professionalism, skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for 50 years or more.
In 1989, Frank began a new career in politics. He served a total of 16 years on the City of SeaTac City Council, including three terms as mayor.
Among his accomplishments, he was instrumental in obtaining approval for the third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; securing funding for the State Route 509 expansion project; moving City Hall to its current location on South 188th Street; and working with the Port of Seattle to extend Seattle’s light rail service directly to SeaTac.
Frank enjoyed, in the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., to be involved in the “passion and action of his time.”
Frank had his very own brand of charm. He was open and unpretentious, gregarious and funny, intelligent and warm. Frank couldn’t go anywhere – whether it was Costco or an international airport – without running into someone he knew. He was a wonderful storyteller, drawing on a lifetime’s worth of colorful material. Frank derived great pleasure from his family, spending time in Maui, reciting the poetry of Robert W. Service, and grilling flank steak and salmon on his barbeque overlooking Angle Lake.
Frank is survived by his wife, Janet; daughter Amelia (Paolo Vescia); son F. Bennett Hansen (LeAnne); granddaughters Madeleine and Natalie Vescia; brothers Harold and Victor Hansen; stepdaughter Lisa Edwards (William); and stepson Michael Burton (Lori). Frank was blessed to have innumerable friends, supporters and fans; many considered him a father figure.
A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at The Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way S. in Seattle on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the Hansen family suggests making a donation in Frank’s name to The Museum of Flight, where he served on the board of trustees. www.museumofflight.org/give-a-tribute-gift.