Paul Bernhardt Hanson

Paul Bernhardt Hanson passed away on March 24, 2024 in Bellingham after 88 years of life filled with laughter, hard work, fishing, and treasured time with friends and family. He was born on July 29, 1935 in Bellingham to Mae and Max Hanson, attended Campus School, and graduated from Bellingham High School in 1953. After earning a degree in economics from Stanford University, Paul returned home and spent four decades working in banking and finance in downtown Bellingham. He was the president of Mount Baker Mutual Savings Bank for many years, and later helped hundreds of clients manage their investments as a stockbroker for Dain Bosworth.

Paul believed in community service and gave his time to many local organizations, including the Rotary Club of Bellingham, Whatcom Community Foundation, Western Foundation, United Way, Jaycees, and many more. He served on the board of trustees for Western Washington University in the 1970s, and was also on the board of the Mount Baker Ski Area for nearly 60 years. Paul was particularly proud of his involvement in fundraising for the Arne Hanna Aquatics Center, and in the establishment of Boulevard Park.

Paul first knew Ann Cilley as the kid sister of a childhood friend. When they reconnected as adults, they fell in love and enjoyed 46 years of marriage before Ann’s death in 2011. Both Paul and Ann thrived on boating, mooching for salmon, and playing bridge with dear friends. They loved traveling, and spending time in the Shorewood neighborhood on Orcas Island, where Paul’s parents built a cabin in the 1950s, and where Paul lived full time in his later years. While Paul always delighted in getting out on the water with rod and reel, he was even happier when his catch was on the barbecue, and he was surrounded by the people he loved.

Paul is survived by his sons, Max and Thor, daughters-in-law, Jessica and Eliza, and grandchildren, Ingrid, Oskar, and Noah.

Memorials may be made to The Ann and Paul Hanson Fund for the Environment at the Whatcom Community Foundation (1500 Cornwall Avenue, Suite 202, Bellingham, WA 98225) or The San Juan Preservation Trust (PO Box 759, Friday Harbor, WA 98250).

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, May 23rd at Westford’s Broadway Hall (1300 Broadway, Bellingham).