Robert L. Hansen, "Bob", 89, of Beaumont, passed away Monday, April 13, 2015, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. He was born December 21, 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, second child and oldest son of Mildred and Fred Hansen. The Hansen family was a large one, with elder sister Lorraine, younger brothers Don and Jim, and baby sister Lynnell.

Fred Hansen worked as a provider of plumbing equipment in Tulsa, raising the children in the Catholic faith. To a person, music and singing was a way of life. They attended Holy Family Catholic Church and were members of the choir. Bob graduated from Central High School and attended the Oklahoma Military Academy for his secondary education, entering The University of Tulsa to pursue a degree in petroleum engineering. From the time he was eighteen years old, he was employed in various capacities by Stanolind/Pan American Petroleum/or Amoco Oil companies until his retirement in 1984. He occupied senior executive positions and was highly respected by his colleagues.

The love of music endured for Bob, who sang and played trombone for The Collegians dance orchestra while attending the University of Tulsa. In 1948, during his junior year, he met and married Elizabeth Clark Page of Tulsa. Stephen Montgomery was born in Tulsa in January 1950. Soon after that, the oil industry called the family to Ellinwood, Kansas, where Azile Karen was born in 1952. Six weeks after her birth, it was time to relocate, this time to Fort Worth, Texas, where Kristin Carla was born in 1955. The "oil patch" provided Bob with ever broadening experience in oil exploration, and the family followed his career to Henderson, then Brownfield, Texas. In 1965 he took a position in New Orleans to participate in deep water exploration.

In 1967 Bob joined Amoco International and moved the family to Westport, Connecticut, commuting to New York City until the main office relocated to Chicago. The family stayed put in Westport so Steve could graduate high school. In the meantime, Bob was transferred to London and the family followed. His international assignments included exploration in the North Sea, the Egyptian Western Desert during the period of Russian presence between the 1968 and 1973 Egypt-Israel conflicts, then down to Argentina during the time of the "Desaparecidos." Daily life there included Federal police bodyguards and a highly varied daily schedule, because of the kidnappings of both Exxon and Amoco company presidents.

Bob retired to the Houston area in 1984, and within two years Liz developed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. She passed away in January, 1989.

Through the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Bob met Colene K. Crawford, who had lost her husband to ALS as well. Bob and Colene married in September 1989. They lived in Beaumont for more than twenty-five years prior to Bob’s passing. They had many close friends and enjoyed socializing with them all. They also spent vacation time in many locales including Angel Fire, New Mexico; Winter Park, Colorado; Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts; and Paris, France.

Looking back, Bob Hansen spent forty years in the oil field, starting as an entry-level engineer and rising to the rank of president of foreign exploration for Amoco. His career constitutes the remarkable ascension of a driven and self-made man, and along the way Bob somehow found the time and energy to focus on what he truly valued, being a loving and dedicated father of three children, and devoted grandfather of eight grandchildren, whom he spoiled at every opportunity. In his professional achievements and his commitment to family, Bob Hansen offered a shining example of a life well lived.

Bob is survived by his wife, Colene Hansen of Beaumont; children, Azile Franciose of Oak Harbor, Washington; Stephen Hansen and his wife, Tiffany, of Katy, Texas; Phillip Crawford and his wife, Nicole, of Paris, France; Carol Heffler and her husband, Michael, of Lambertville, New Jersey; and Bruce Crawford of New York, New York; grandchildren, Nils Hansen of Ontario, Kansas; Lauren Sullivan of Perkins, Oklahoma; Bradley Jones of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Nicholas Franciose and Natalie Franciose both of Denver, Colorado; Ethan Heffler of Brooklyn, New York; Ollie Crawford and Fannie Crawford both of Paris, France; brother, Jim Hansen and his wife, Maryann, of Florida; sisters, Lynnell Hyman and her husband Milton, of California; and Lorraine Nelson of Arizona; great-grandchildren, Cadence, Ally, and Gabriel all of Oklahoma; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Don Hansen.

A Memorial Mass for Mr. Hansen will be celebrated, Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson, Beaumont. His committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, under the direction of Broussard’s,1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Red Cross, 706 Magnolia Street #L151, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or to a charity of one’s choice.