J. Hilbert "Hib" Hanson

J. Hilbert (Hib) Hanson died in Lacey, Washington on December 20, 2011 at the age of 94. He was born in Polson on May 27, 1917, the son of Hilbert S. and Inez S. Hanson. Hib's father and J. A. Johnson founded the Security State Bank in Polson in 1910. Hib graduated from Polson High School in 1936 and from the University of Montana in 1940, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army with immediate assignment to the University of Montana as an Assistance Professor of Military Science and Tactics in the ROTC program. After two years at the University he transferred to the Army Air Corps to continue flight training he had started on his own with Johnson Flying Service in Missoula in 1938. He married Sarah Jane Barclay May 30, 1942, in Helena and they had one son, Douglas J. Hanson. uring World War II, Hib served in the European heater of Operations in the Army and saw considerable action in Europe. Hib was he pilot of a single-engine spotter plane locating enemy troops and targets. He then directed artillery fire while in light. He flew 157 missions and survived crashes induced by enemy fire. He was involved in the campaigns in France, Luxembourg and Germany and was among the first pilots to spot the massive movement of a German Panzer division of troops and tanks toward what became the Battle of the Bulge. Hib also participated in the liberation of Stalag 7. He was awarded the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, received his honorable discharge and then in 1946 went to work in the Security State Bank. In 1953 he bought the bank. As president of Security State Bank, he was deeply and quietly involved in many community activities and charitable endeavors. Among them, he assisted with the creation of what was to become the Sandpiper Art Gallery: was instrumental in the expansion of the Polson public library: spearheaded the drive to light the Polson bridge: and arranged financing for many community improvement districts and school bond issues. In 1959-60 he and Ronan attorney John D. French organized the campaign against the Army Corps of Engineers proposal to build Knowles Dam, which would have flooded large portions of the Moiese Valley. He also helped convince Congress to reject a Corps proposal to dredge the outlet of Flathead Lake, which would have had the potential of creating vast mudflats in Polson Bay. After the death of his son, Doug, in an airplane accident in 1998, Hib sold the bank to First Interstate, marking the end of his long career in family banking. After Sara Jane passed away Hib married Mildred Weber of Polson. Preceding him in death were his wife, Sarah Jane, son Douglas J. and brother Bob. Surviving are his wife Mildred Hanson, daughter-in-law Vickie Hanson: four grandchildren, Patrick, Kimberly (Ethan), Skyler and Trever: and nephew, Rob Hanson (Johanna). Services will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Polson later this summer with Military Honors. A private burial service will occur at the family plot in Lakeview Cemetery, Polson. Memorials may be made to the Polson Presbyterian Church or the Polson Dollars for Scholars. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson is assisting with local arrangements.
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