G. Holger "Hogie" Hansen

G. Holger “Hogie” Hansen, age 86, of Newtown Square, PA, passed away on May 27, 2023. Born in Corning, NY, he was the son of the late Holger T. and Beatrice Hansen (nee Galusha).

Service to others has been a lifetime calling for Hogie, through the church, higher education and Rotary International. Educated at public schools in West Hartford, Earlham College, Yale Divinity School, and the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Geneva, he was ordained in the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church and served as a pastor in Seymour, CT, in the 1960s. A fervent believer in the power of ecumenism, Hogie served as a United Methodist Church Representative on the National Council as well as the World Council of Churches. His long association with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks included roles as seminarian, assistant director, trustee, and author of several booklets about its history. He served Earlham College in alumni relations from 1970-1976, Swarthmore College as Associate Vice President from 1976-1980, and Haverford College as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and then Secretary of the College for more than 20 years. Hogie was active in the Ardmore Rotary Club, Governor for Rotary District #7450 from 1993-1994, and Manager of Fund Development for Rotary International in Evanston, IL, from 2003-2006. As a leader in Rotary, he coordinated district training for Governor-elects, and was honored with awards for Service Above Self and Distinguished Service.

Hogie loved to travel, and Rotary provided a unique outlet for this passion with annual Rotary International Conventions held in cities around the world. Hogie participated in Rotary’s Polio Education trips to Madagascar and India. He also visited Rotary Peace Centers to see first-hand the results of a global program he supported through a major gifts initiative from 2010-2014.

A lifelong, avid hiker, an ascent of Mt. Rainier in 1984 was a milestone for him. Music was always an important part of his life. His resounding baritone was a welcome addition to the choir at Swarthmore United Methodist Church and more recently, White Horse Village. In retirement, Hogie also enjoyed working with groups on spiritual life and global issues, co-chairing with his wife Anne, the Great Decisions program at White Horse Village. He will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Hogie was the beloved husband of Anne Hansen (nee Collier); loving father of Peter Holger Hansen (Allison), Deborah Hansen (James McConnell), and Sarah Hansen (John Terwilliger); adoring grandfather of Katie Hansen (Patrick King), William Hansen, Michael McConnell, Rachel McConnell, Sam Terwilliger, and Emma Terwilliger; and caring brother of David Hansen, Diane Hansen, and the late Karen Hansen.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 10:00-11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Swarthmore United Methodist Church, 129 Park Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081, followed by his Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.

The service will be livestreamed HERE

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Swarthmore United Methodist Church, swarthmoreumc.com, or The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collection Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693, rotary.org, would be appreciated.