Dr. James O. Hansen, a longtime educator and public servant, died on Tuesday, aged 94.
Jim’s first career was as an educator. He taught in Philip, and then was school superintendent in Wessington, Gregory, and Madison. His second career was in state government. He joined the Department of Education in 1976, and ultimately served as Secretary of Education for Governor George S. Mickelson from 1987 until Jim’s retirement in 1990. Jim wrote a biography of Mickelson after the Governor’s death in a plane crash in 1993.
His third career was as an active and able state board member. He was elected six times to represent retirees on the South Dakota Retirement System Board of Trustees, serving for a remarkable 28 years from 1992-2020. Governor Mickelson appointed Jim in 1992to the Capitol Complex Restoration and Beautification Commission, on which he served for 31 years until his death. Governor Janklow appointed Jim to the Board of Regents in 1995, and he was reappointed twice, serving for 18 years, including a tenure as board president.
It was in that last role that I came to know Jim personally, in 2003, when I was the 20-year-old student regent, newly appointed by Governor Rounds, and Jim was the 74-year-old former board president. That board had many strong personalities but Jim was always a source of wisdom and experience. As board president Harvey Jewett often said – “Jim Hansen has held every job in public education in South Dakota.” Despite our age difference, Jim and I became friends and allies on the board – he was always strongly focused on holding down tuition and fees to keep the state universities affordable for our young people and competitive with neighboring states.
I also know that Jim was particularly proud of his work on the South Dakota Retirement System. Our state has one of the best-managed public pension systems in the country, and Jim’s careful focus over three decades ensured that it stayed that way.
Though Jim’s career had three phases, the emphasis on education and public service was a constant. Jim was the son of a Homestake truck driver and a waitress, and he understood that it was public education – Spearfish High School, Black Hills State University, and the University of South Dakota – that got him where he was in life.
Above all, Jim was always very dedicated to his family – his wife, Dora, and their three daughters. During the time we served together, Dora had a number of health setbacks, but until her death it was always clear that being with her was his top priority.
South Dakota is a great state because of people like Jim Hansen, who work hard for their families and their communities, and give back to the state in important part-time roles. Fittingly, he was inducted in to the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2008, and the Hall’s profile of Jim is excellent. Jim’s obituary has also been posted and is very well done.
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