Robert Allen Hansen

ROBERT ALLEN HANSEN 84, passed away on July 14, 2007, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on February 9, 1923, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to parents Joseph and Pearl (Brott) Hansen. Bob attended Marquette University High School, graduating in 1941. He attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, earning a B.S. in Marine Engineering. Following graduation, Bob married his beloved wife, Marie Therese Esser. They were blessed with three children, John, Karen, and Mark. Bob went on to attend the Masters program at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service. Along with his education, Bob's natural talents laid the groundwork for a long, successful career as an entrepreneur. Bob, as CEO, was instrumental in the turnaround of Waukesha Bearings, supplier of bearings and seals to the U.S. Navy. He was founder and CEO for Marchem Resources, Inc., designer and manufacturer of bearings and seals for the hydrocarbon processing industry. Bob was founder and CEO of Global Exterior Systems, a manufacturer of coating systems used for building structures. Bob's greatest business achievement was his role in founding Cogen Technologies, the largest independent electricity cogenerator in the U.S. After the sale of Cogen Technologies in 1999, he continued to work tirelessly in venture capital and real estate investments. Throughout his life, Bob was involved in many organizations, including the Young Presidents Organization, the World Presidents Organization, the Employers Association of Milwaukee, the World Business Council, The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and various church organizations. Most importantly, Bob and his wife worked together to develop The Robert and Marie Hansen Foundation, dedicating themselves to charitable philanthropy in research and education. He was preceded in death by grandparents Jacob and Mary Hansen, and Albert and Annie Brott; parents Joseph and Pearl Hansen; brother Warren Hansen; and many aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Marie; his children, John Hansen, Karen Whitworth (husband Larry) and Mark Hansen (wife Joan); his grandchildren, Paul Clifton (wife Lea), Peter Clifton (wife Celina) and Erik Hansen (wife Carilyn); his great-grandchildren, Lauren Clifton, Catherine Clifton, Avery Clifton, and Madelaine Eve Hansen; his aunt, Gladys (Brott) Reiter; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.