HANSEN, Robert (Bob) Carl

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, AZ March 08, 2006 Robert Carl Hansen of Cottonwood died at his home on March 6, 2006. Bob was born in Chicago on July 28, 1924. He proudly served his country in World War II as a pilot of the U.S. Army Air Corps 69th Fighter Squadron where he attained the rank of lieutenant. Stationed in the South Pacific, he is credited with downing the last Japanese fighter of WWII. He was a graduate of UCLA and was an executive vice president of Yellow Front and Checker Auto in the 1970s, traveling extensively throughout the Pacific Rim as a buyer/importer. Mr. Hansen retired in the early '80s and was an avid golfer and long time resident and member at the White Mountains Country Club in Pinetop. Bob is survived by Beth, his loving wife of 30 years, his son Sam Hansen of Seattle, Wash., his daughter Kristen Rettig of Los Altos, Calif., his stepson, Mike Gardner of Cottonwood and four grandchildren.