Author: Emily Shugerman
Professor Robert Hansen, an artist, father, birder and Occidental professor for over 30 years, passed away in his home in Carpinteria, Calif. on Feb. 10. He was 89.
Hansen joined the Occidental art department as a faculty member in 1956 and stayed until the end of his academic career in 1987. Although he was a full tenured professor at Occidental, according to his son, Fritz Hansen, he found this label pretentious and always preferred to go by Mr. Hansen, or simply Bob. His daughter-in-law Katherine Hinds explained that Hansen was an exacting professor who strove to challenge his students. Hansen even had a picture, drawn for him by his former student Terry Gilliam (’62), hung on his wall which stated: “You were the first one to push.”
Hansen also tended to push the boundaries of campus policy as well, according to Hinds. Upon returning from a trip to Mexico in the late ’50s, Hansen reportedly grew a beard in direct violation of campus policy. He and his friend and fellow faculty member Cliff Kroeber were thereafter referred to on campus as the “Smith Brothers,” after the bearded owners of a popular cough drop company.
Aside from teaching art, Hansen also practiced it profusely. His work is featured in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. His technique utlilized an uncommon medium – Duco laquer, used frequently on cars and other machinery. The subject of his paintings was most often stylistically illustrated body parts.
“It was a little odd having a father-in-law who painted body parts and figures entwined in all kinds of interesting poses,” Hinds said. “But his art spoke for itself.”
Hansen took a break from painting after he left Occidental to focus on his other love – birding. He traveled extensively and also engaged in birding at the wetlands preserve in his home in Carpinteria. As part of his advocacy work Hansen volunteered for the Carpinteria Creek Commission, a creek protection commission. The Carpinteria City Council later voted to name the city’s creek system Bob Hansen Creeks Preservation Program in honor of his work.
Later in life, Hansen once again picked up painting. His work was even featured in a retrospective in a Los Angeles art gallery in 2006. “He was really tickled to be found again,” Hinds said. Hansen was also recognized for his work as one of the “Monuments Men” during WWII, recovering works of art stolen by the Nazis.
Hansen is survived by his son Fritz Hansen, his daughters-in-law Katherine Hinds and Marilynn Hansen, his granddaughter Harper Hansen and his sister Margaret Lien. A memorial gathering will be held on March 29 at the Weingart Galleries. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Bob’s memory to Occidental College.
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