Dick Hanson, age 80, formerly of Excelsior, Minnesota, and most recently from North Fort Myers, Florida (winters) and Clearwater, Minnesota (summers), died at Cape Coral, Florida Hospital on May 6, 2011, with his high school sweetheart who became his beloved wife of 57 years, Marilyn, at his side. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, May 14, at Sinai Lutheran Church in Sinai, South Dakota, with interment in the West Sinai Lutheran Cemetery immediately following the service. Visitations will be from 5:30-7:30 P.M. Friday, May 13, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Dick was born August 15, 1930, in Arlington, South Dakota, to Pete (P.I.) and Marie Hanson. After growing up in Sinai, South Dakota, Dick joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at the Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. After being honorably discharged he earned his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State College in Brookings. After college, Dick worked with McDonald Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri, where he helped engineer the Mercury and Gemini space capsules and later the F4 Phantom Fighter Jet. In 1963 he joined Honeywell Ordinance Division in the Twin Cities where he spent the rest of his career. Dick's strength of character, honesty, integrity and work ethic will be missed as much as his great sense of humor and sincere compassion for his many friends and family. Dick is survived by his wife, Marilyn; sons, Stewart (Beth) and granddaughters Kelsey and Leah; Steve (Laurie) and granddaughters Kate and Leslie; and Scott (Cindy) and granddaughter Keri and only grandson Alex and step grandchildren Jason (Tamar) and Mia (JC).