Webb Is My Home – Skip Hanson ’59

Wayne “Skip” Hanson ’59 Creates A Home for Future Generations of Bertha M. Lynch Scholars

Skip Hanson ’59 had a deep and abiding devotion to Webb, a school that he held close to his heart. He demonstrated this devotion over decades through his actions and his leadership. As Skip’s extraordinary life was coming to a close, he talked openly about Webb and why Webb was so important to him.

In the summer of 2018, Skip told Dutch Barhydt, Webb’s Director of Institutional Advancement, that when he arrived on the Webb campus in the mid 1950’s, he felt that he had “come home.” He felt that Thompson and Vivian Webb and the men and women of the Webb faculty and staff took a sincere interest in him as an individual, as a student and as an athlete. Skip carried those early impressions with him for the next six decades, through two tours of duty with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, through a successful career as an early leader in the commercial property management business, and as a trustee at The Webb Schools.

Serving as a Webb trustee for over twelve years, Skip oversaw Webb’s complex insurance and

risk management needs and led the school through the annual process to ensure that Webb was properly protected at all times. Skip admitted to a fascination with Webb’s infrastructure, particularly the less-glamorous but highly critical infrastructure that could not be seen, including the underground pipes that carried water to various points on campus. He knew that maintaining these pipes and all infrastructure, seen and unseen, was critical to maintaining Webb’s campus. To honor Skip’s commitment some years ago, Webb’s Director of Finance, Planning and Operations Janet Peddy created an award recognizing Skip’s work. The award was a trophy constructed of old and rusted (but authentic!) pipes from the Webb campus. That award remained prominently on a shelf where Skip could see it every day. In addition to his leadership in insurance and risk management, Skip chaired Webb’s Real Estate Trust Committee, guiding Webb through issues relating to the acquisition of real estate either for the campus, or presented to Webb as charitable gifts.

Skip’s devotion to Webb went far beyond Webb’s physical plant, to include Webb’s students. In 1990, Skip, along with his brother Robert M. Hanson ’62 and their father Wayne A. Hanson, created The Bertha M. Lynch Principes Non Homines Scholarship in memory of the Hansons’ maternal grandmother. Given Skip’s strong inclination to not only demonstrate leadership, but to nurture it in others, this scholarship is awarded to students with the following attributes: admirable qualities of character, academic excellence, financial need, the potential to contribute positively to the spirit and life of the Webb community (athletics, performing arts, publications, etc.), and demonstrated leadership potential.

Skip said that when he arrived on the Webb campus in the mid 1950’s, he felt that he had “come home.”

Skip is second from the left, pictured with the Class of 1959 at their 50th reunion.

As Skip’s health began to fail in 2018, he was determined to finalize his wishes for Webb in a series of meetings. With his devoted wife Sharon at his side, Skip carefully outlined a very significant estate gift to Webb to forever provide financial aid for generations of Bertha M. Lynch Scholars. Skip recognized that providing access to the most qualified students, regardless of financial capability is central to Webb’s mission now, and in the century ahead.

Two months after Skip passed away on June 28, 2018, Sharon Hanson and a small handful of family members gathered on the Webb campus – the place that Skip called “my home.” Sitting quietly in the late afternoon sun, at the southwest corner of the Vivian Webb Chapel, the group recited Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “Crossing the Bar,” lead by Head of Schools Taylor Stockdale: Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which I drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark.

For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have cross’d the bar.

One year later, in October 2019, Webb learned the full impact of Skip’s leadership. The estate gift that Skip and Sharon created to benefit Webb is one of the largest legacy gifts that Webb has received in its history and will allow Webb to provide financial aid to numerous Bertha Lynch Scholars each and every year. Skip’s devotion and leadership will live in perpetuity in these future students who will be known as Bertha Lynch Scholars and who will also call Webb “my home.”

During Skip’s lifetime, Sharon and Skip took many wonderful trips together to England where Skip would participate in sporting activities in the English countryside, an extension of his love of athletics, competitive sailing, fast cars and competition. When Skip excelled, as he often did, his English friends would say, “Well done, Wayne.” When asked how she would like Skip’s legacy at Webb to be remembered, Sharon thought for a moment and then responded, “Well done, Wayne, well done.”