Arthur Stephen Hansel Jr. — Steve to all who loved him — passed away on August 18, 2024.
Steve was born on September 13, 1938, to Ruth (Dahlen) and Art Hansel in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the oldest of two boys. He grew up in Seattle, where he graduated from Garfield High School and later the University of Washington with a degree in math. He proudly served his country as a captain in the U.S. Army Intelligence Service and met the love of his life, Joyce MacKinnon, while briefly stationed at Fort Devens just before being sent to Germany. Joyce took a chance on love and, with that, a job with the U.S. Army at Landstuhl Medical Center and their love story continued.
Three years later, they returned to the U.S., married in 1967, and moved to Los Angeles, where Steve completed his Master of Education degree at the University of Southern California before returning to Seattle to teach high school math. Subsequently, he took a position with IBM, where he’d spend the next 25 years as an IT executive and educational outreach director. IBM moved him from Washington to California and ultimately to Massachusetts. Joyce and Steve settled in Concord. He completed his Master of Business Administration degree at Boston University while working full time and raising three children. Following his retirement from IBM, Steve worked as the director of IT for Houghton Mifflin, which was a perfect fit for him, given his love of books.
Steve was very involved in the Concord community; he volunteered as a Concord Minute Man and at Emerson Hospital. He coached soccer and basketball. He loved golfing with the Bogey Boys at Concord Country Club and playing tennis at Heritage. He had a lovely voice and enjoyed singing in the car with his children. He loved sports and adopted the Boston Teams — especially the Celtics, the Red Sox and the Patriots — while staying fiercely loyal to his Washington Huskies. In fact, he always began his day with the sports section. And most importantly, he was a kind, loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.
Steve leaves Joyce, his wife of 57 years, his children Cynthia (Michael), Jennifer, and David and his grandchildren Alyssa, Michaela, Jack, and Parker. He also leaves his dear Concord friends and his three sisters-in-law and their families. Steve was predeceased by his parents and his younger brother, Tim.
Family and friends are invited to remember and honor Steve and Joyce during visiting hours from 5-7 p.m., Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street. Combined services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 29, at Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden Street, followed by a private burial at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to join a celebration of life reception at 1 p.m. at the Concord Country Club, 246 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Concord Public Library, cfpl.networkforgood.com/projects/97451-library-giving-day-2020. Checks may be made payable in memory to Concord Free Public Library Corporation, 129 Main St, Concord, MA 01742.
Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street. Condolences may be left at concordfuneral.com.
