Eric John Hanson

Our beloved Eric surrendered his life and love on the morning of August 20, 2022. Eric had a remarkable capacity to connect intimately with everyone who had the privilege to know him.
Eric was born in 1955 in Santa Monica, CA. to loving parents John J. Hanson and Twyla June Hanson. He was raised alongside his spirited twin brother Mark, enjoying sea and sand in various locations around Southern California. His extraordinary step-mother Betty married his father in 1973. Eric and Betty enjoyed a wonderful relationship.

Eric graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon in 1978. It was there he made special friends for life. Midway through his education at Reed he spent a year studying in Paris at the Sorbonne University, a highlight of his life where he relished in the language and culture of France. In 1988 Eric received his PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah, another avenue for creating the closest of friendships.

After graduation he met and later married his wife, Sue. They were together for 34 beautiful years. Eric referred to Sue as his “Suzy Soulmate”. His son Ian, the light of Eric’s world, was born in 1991. Ian knew his Dad as gentle, kind, and encouraging. Ian will carry on Eric’s legacy of truth and love.

Eric’s career was at the heart of who he was. He worked with adults, children, adolescents and families at Valley Mental Health. He later transitioned his years of experience and insight into a meaningful private practice. His career provided he and his colleagues another arena to bond as friends for life.

Eric was a masterful composer and pianist. His music provided him a unique depth of expression and beauty.

In 2005 Eric was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. It was to be his ultimate challenge and bravest endeavor in his life’s journey. He endured with grace and acceptance, always with a beautiful glint of hope in his eyes. Sue and Ian were his anchors until the end.

Surviving Eric are his wife Sue, son Ian, brother Mark and sister-in-law Verlie, step-mother Betty. Sue and Ian want to express their profound gratitude to Active Home Health and Hospice Care.

Please join us for a wake on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 4 to 6pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. A remembrance tribute will begin at 4:30. Tributes will be live-streamed from his obituary page at www.starksfuneral.com where they will also be available on demand.

In honor of Eric, donations can be made to the U of U Department of Neurology for Parkinson’s Research online at https://ugive.app.utah.edu/designation/1222 or Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake: gslclubs.org