Roll Call Tribute

(Published in) The (Bryan-College Station) Eagle (on) April 21 2007

John William Hanna
July 28, 1941 - March 24, 2007
John W. Hanna, 65, of Garden Valley, Idaho, a former professor at Texas A&M University, died unexpectedly March 24 in Utah. Born in Council Grove, Kan., in 1941, Dr. Hanna received his Ph.D. in recreational management at Texas A&M University and subsequently taught interpretation at Texas A&M, as well as at Ohio State and Lakehead University in Canada. Additionally, he was the owner of Inside Outside Interpretation, a planning and design firm providing services for parks, nature centers and cultural sites. Among the projects he completed in 49 states and four foreign countries, was extensive work done at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History and various state and national parks throughout Texas. John was considered one of the most experienced and talented interpretive master planners and interpretive exhibit builders in North America. He served as treasurer of the Association of Interpretive Naturalists for many years and was a Fellow of the National Association for Interpreters, the highest award for that organization.
He served his country in the U.S. Air Force as an instructor pilot at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. John had a passion for nature and the outdoors, and enjoyed sharing this love with his family and friends. He had a kind spirit and a big heart which will be missed by family and friends.
He was survived by his wife, Nancy, of Garden Valley, his sons, Devon Hanna and Trent Hanna, formerly of Bryan; granddaughter, Symphony Hanna; step-daughter, Natalie Walton; step-granddaughter Aubrey Hamilton of Kansas; step-mother, Rita Hanna of Cheyenne, Wyo.; aunt and uncle, Audrey and Wilbur Middleton of Bellevue, Wash., and several nieces and their families.
A celebration of his life is planned for June in Idaho. A memorial in his name has been established at Project Patch Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 450, Garden Valley, Idaho, 83622.
____________________________________________________________________________
Published in Texas Aggie Silver Taps November-December 2007

John W. Hanna '74, 65, of Garden Valley, Idaho (formerly of Council Grove, Kansas) died unexpectedly March 24, 2007. He was an instructor pilot in the U.S. Air Force at Williams AFB, Arizona. He taught interpretation and outdoor recreation at Texas A&M, Ohio State University, and Lakehead University in Canada. He was owner of Inside Outside Interpretation, a planning and design firm providing services for parks, nature centers and cultural sites. He completed projects in 49 states and four foreign countries, including work at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History in Bryan. He was treasurer of the Association for Interpretive Naturalists for many years and was a founder and fellow of the National Association for Interpretation. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; two sons; a step-daughter; a granddaughter; a step-granddaughter; and his step-mother.