Raymond Hansen

Raymond E Hansen, age 82, passed away peacefully January 3, 2012 at Agrace HospiceCare.

Raymond Hansen was born and raised in Chicago, Ill. Upon graduation from Lane Tech High School, he served as a Laboratory Supervisor in the Air Force holding the rank of S/SGT at Erding AFB Germany during the Korean conflict. There he met and married his beloved wife of 60 years, Maria. Returning to the United States in 1952, they raised two children. Even though employed, Raymond sought further college education through the GI Bill expanding his knowledge of electronics and the physical sciences. Employment at the University of Chicago in the laboratory of Professor Mary Buell instilled a life-long interest in academic biochemical research. When Dr. Buell accepted a position at the Institute for Enzyme Research, University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1960, Raymond moved to Madison with his family to continue his employment with Dr. Buell in Professor David Green's laboratory. Employment at the Enzyme Institute led to a twenty two year association with Professor Helmut Beinert. With Dr. Beinert's interest in metal containing enzymes, Raymond developed electronic instrumentation that included electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometers and rapid flow mixers enabling state of the art enzyme research. He was co-author of numerous scientific papers and a member of Sigma XI honorary scientific society. Furthermore he was able to integrate his broad knowledge of the physical sciences and electronic instrumentation in the nurturing of many graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin.

In 1972, Raymond founded Update Instruments, Inc., a Madison-based company manufacturing and repairing scientific instrumentation. After his retirement from the University of Wisconsin, he served as CEO and President. Raymond continued to pursue advancement of scientific instrumentation related to his former interests at the University of Wisconsin. In addition he mentored students by instituting a German-American foreign exchange program apprenticing German students at Update Instruments for many years.

Raymond enjoyed traveling with his wife, Maria to Las Vegas, Jamaica, Cancun, and Florida. He was a passionate Musky fisherman traveling to northern Wisconsin applying traditional live bait methods to land his trophy fish. Raymond also enjoyed cooking and gardening.

Raymond is survived by his daughter Eva (Frank) Ruzicka of Lodi and sister June (James) Joseph of LaCrosse. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Maria. His final months found him cared for by Shannon and Nikki, devoted and loving caregivers for whom his family will be forever grateful.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 10th from 4 pm to 7 pm at Cress Funeral Home Speedway. A private ceremony will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery. To honor Raymond's great love of children and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to American Family Children's Hospital, 1675 Highland Ave., Rm 1428, Madison, WI 53792-4165.