Charles "Chuck" Elton Hansen of Pierre, South Dakota passed away on May 29, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 73. Per his wishes, private services will be held later at a time yet to be determined.

Charles was born on October 22, 1951, in Glendale, California to his mother and adopted father, Gerald and Lillian (Clark) Hansen. He grew up on the West Coast and graduated from Mark Keppel High School. While living in California, Charles was scuba certified and enjoyed diving off the coast. He then enlisted in the US Navy, where he began his career in the military. After he graduated from Basic Training, he then attended Naval Hospital Corps School attaining the rank of Hospital Apprentice.  He served as a Hospital Corpsman at Balboa Naval Hospital from 1970 through 1972. Charles thenattended the Naval Aerospace Medial Institute in Pensacola, Florida and graduated as an Aerospace Physiology Technician.  He transferred to the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, Pennsylvania. While there, he participated in studies for the space shuttle cockpit, volunteered for cold water survival research, and the repeated effects of acceleration on the human body.  In 1979 he was transferred to Naval Air station Whidbey Island where he helped train pilots in the use of ejection seats, how to exit an ejection seat under water, and why they needed to keep their oxygen masks on when they were flying.  Due to repeated instances of the bends, he had to switch to Aviation Medical Technician for the rest of his career until his retirement in 1989. Altogether, Charles served his country for 20 years in the Navy and he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal and a Navy Achievement Medal for his service. Charles even designed the logo for the Aviation Physiology Training Departments of USNH Whidbey Island, WA.

After moving to the East Coast for his military assignment, Charles met the love of his life, Nordea "Dea" Clark. The pair married in Camden County, New Jersey on January 2, 1975, and later returned to the West Coast, living in Washington State. The couple had one beloved daughter, Brënna. Charles loved his family dearly and was the "best" dad to his daughter. Brënna and Charles had a special bond and many shared interests. Though he was mostly a home-body, Charles would take his family on trips to interesting sights and places, and even traveled to Vancouver, Canada to go to a convention for one of their favorite shows, Doctor Who. Many fond memories were made going to the mountains, "chasing trains," or taking long walks along the railroad track.

Charles was enthusiastic about military aircraft and trains. A man with very eclectic, niche, collections, one of Charles's favorite hobbies was walking by the train tracks picking up abandoned parts and bringing them to his "train room" at home where he also assembled model trains. He also could often be found reading a book, specifically anything regarding military history or science fiction. Charles adored Marvin the Martian and had quite a collection of memorabilia and trinkets.

Charles had a unique with about him and long-standing bits with his family members. He had quotes from his favorite shows and little quips always ready to tease his loved ones. One of his frequent sayings, was "TTFN" (Ta -Ta for now). He is surely missed immeasurably.

Grateful to have shared Charles's life with him are his wife, Nordea Hansen of Pierre, SD; his daughter, Brënna (Jeremy) Hughes of Pierre, SD; his grandchildren, Alex and Kyra Hughes; his brothers, Daryll (Cece) Hansen and Douglas (Jim Negri) Hansen; his step-sister, Karen (Dave) Fiddament; and many extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Lillian Hansen.