J. Hilbert (Hib) Hanson

J. Hilbert (Hib) Hanson

J. Hilbert (Hib) Hanson died in Lacey, Wash., on Dec. 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 second lieutenant in the U.S. Army with immediate assignment to the University of Montana as an Assistant 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. During World War II, Hib served in the European theater of operations in the Army and saw considerable action in Europe.

Hib was the pilot of a single-engine spotter plane locating enemy troops and targets. He flew 157 missions and survived numerous crashes induced by enemy fire.

In 1953, he bought Security State Bank. As president he was deeply and quietly involved in many community activities and charitable endeavors.

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; great-granddaughter, Brennah; and nephew, Rob Hanson (Johanna).

Services will be at the First Presbyterian Church, Polson, on Monday, July 23 at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Polson Presbyterian Church or the Polson Dollars for Scholars.