Robert Alan Hanson

Robert Alan Hanson, known to many as “Coach Bob,” passed away February 16, 2025. He was born April 15,1949. Bob was the son of Kenneth Paul Hanson and Betty Marie Herrick. Following his parent’s brief marriage, Bob’s mother subsequently married a number of servicemen, resulting in Bob attending 19 different schools from elementary through high school. When Bob was 12, Betty married Frank Pontes, the man Bob considered his “Dad.” The moves continued between Florida and California depending on Frank’s assignments. Bob considered himself one of the original “latch key kids.” But, the always positive Bob, liked to admit this made him the way he was - always the new kid, he was outgoing and able to strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere about anything, and he frequently did, making friends everywhere.

Bob graduated from Marina High School in Huntington Beach, where he met and befriended Steve Millbern. They attended Golden West College when it first opened. Bob’s son, Ray would later become a Pitching Coach for Long Beach Wilson then he moved on to Golden West. Bob and Steve then decided to attend Long Beach State (now CSULB).

As an only child, Bob wanted to find a place where he felt he belonged and could call home. He found the beginnings of that at Long Beach State when he joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Where he met and formed lifelong relationships with Gary Shippey, Bill Thompson, Al Fiore, Bill McCrea, and Steve Ambellan - just to name a few and many more brothers. For the first time, Bob felt like he had a family. Bob and his brothers’ had many great adventures together and he was able to play organized sports for the first time through intramurals.By the time Bob was in college, his Dad, Frank, was working for his brother in the moving and storage business and there was always a need for strong young men, giving many of his brothers a full or part-time job.

Bob’s career life was a means to an end but he was always one of the top salesmen. His first job after college was a sales job with O’Keefe & Merritt, but his next sales positions focused more on his chemistry background with companies like Betz-Entec, a water treatment company and BASF Urethane Chemical Division, until finally,he became a business owner himself.

Bob met the love of his life, Stephanie, when Steve and Amy Ambellan conspired to arrange a “blind date” to see Jerry Lee Lewis at The Palomino Club in North Hollywood. Amy’s sister, Julie and Srephanie had the tickets and Bob and Gary wanted to go. After dating a year, Stephanie moved in with Bob. They traveled a lot and later bought their dream home together. Bob loved telling the story of how Stephanie became his bride - she said those magic words, “I’m pregnant!” Richard followed soon after the wedding, then little brother, Ray, Once Bob met Stephanie, he finally found the family he had been searching for. Stephanie was the eldest of 12 siblings and Bob loved the chaos. Together with Bob’s Sig Ep brothers and Stephanie’s extended family, Bob finally had the family he so desired!

Bob was always a sports enthusiast - loving to watch, play, or just be involved in ping pong, pool, basketball, softball, baseball, racing, and golf. Before the boys, Bob and Stephanie never missed the Grand Prix and they shared Laker Season Tickets with friends during the Lakers Golden Years with Magic and Kobe! Since Stephanie worked for Disney, then KMEX-TV, they regularly had access to Dodger and Angel tickets.Bob played slow-pitch softball 3 nights a week with the HB Claimers and the Long Beach Twerps, playing with neighbor, Dave (Hobo) Robicheau, The year before Richard was born, Bob played 100 rounds of golf. Once the boys arrived, his passion for sports moved into high gear and he fit as much of his golf and softball as his work and family schedule would allow. Bob was determined to expose them to any and all sports. When they were old enough for organized sports, like AYSO Soccer and Little League Baseball, Bob was right there to coach. He volunteered as Assistant Coach, but since both sports didn’t have enough coaches, he stepped up with both sports to coach. He coached Soccer for 10 years, until as Bob said, they needed to be coached by someone who had played the game.

As far as Little League goes, Bob was coaching his nephew, Andrew Mallon, (who is currently coaching his own sons), just weeks before his passing. Bob coached and managed at Long Beach Little League including many AllStar Teams over his 10 years there. He also trained as referee and umpire, serving at both when needed. Bob read the Rule books cover to cover each year, adding high school, college and major league rule books as the boys advanced in their sports careers. Bob joined District 38 staff initially as LBLL representative, staying on afterward as Assistant District Administrator for T-ball and Coach Pitch while still volunteering at Long Beach Little League as Vice President of the League. Stephanie also served as a Board Member at Long Beach Little League, then on to Pony boards, and Wilson High School Baseball and Soccer supporters, later joining Bob as an Assistant District Administrator for his last few years. In Bob’ spare time, one could find him restringing baseball gloves. Bob served on the Little League District staff for 25 years.

Bob is survived by “his bride,” Stephanie, sons Rich and Ray (Mallory), his 100 year old stepmother, Betty Hanson (RIP 4/6/25), step-sister, Donna Patten,
Brother-in-laws: Gary, Felix, Bill, and Matthew
Sister-in-laws: Pam, Laura, Mary Alice, Rosaleen, Brigid, Martha, Sarah and Eileen
And, many loving nieces and nephews and a number of Sig Ep brothers