Gerald Hansen

Dr. Gerald Maxfield Hansen was born in Grand Junction, Colorado on April 18, 1937. He grew up in the town of Salida, CO and all his life retained a love for the railways for which his father had worked. After finishing high school in Salida, he moved with his parents to Salt Lake City. He enrolled as an engineering major at the Colorado School of Mines but soon decided to pursue his interest and talent as an organist. He received both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Organ Performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He went on to take temporary positions at Manchester University and Luther College, where he met Sharyl DeSeve: November 2018 marked their 52nd anniversary. Gerald spent two years as a Fulbright Scholar studying organ in Copenhagen, Denmark and that study imparted a lasting love of Denmark to the whole family. Gerald then received his doctorate in organ performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music and became professor of music and college organist at Keuka College in the Finger Lakes of New York. From there he became the chair of the music department at Schenectady County Community College, where he taught for 21 years. He was especially proud of having fostered and grown the music department. Under his leadership, Music became the first department at SCCC to hold national accreditation, laying the foundations and setting its direction for decades to come. He was especially loved as a teacher of music theory and for the care that he gave to all the students under his tutelage. Dr. Hansen was also a master organist and choir director, notably at Incarnate Word (Rochester, NY), St. Paul's Lutheran (Albany, NY), Good Shepherd Lutheran (Glenville, NY) and Trinity Methodist (Albany, NY). He gave organ recitals nearly every year at many of the notable instruments in the Capital Region of New York and elsewhere. His love of music is one of the threads that was and is a constant to his family. Gerald and Sharyl retired to Cookeville to be near their son and his family about ten years ago. Gerald died peacefully in the early morning on November 24, 2018. He is loved and missed by his wife Sharyl, daughter Kristen, son Jeremy, grandchildren Emily and Erik, and his sister Sandra, as well as cousins, nephews and their families. His gentle smile, family stories, and love are clear in our hearts. A private service for the family will be held with a pending date. Donations in his memory may be made to a scholarship fund at SUNY Schenectady in his honor, to: SCCC, 78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, New York 12305, attn: Foundation. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com