Major Hugh E. Hanna Jr., USAF (Ret.), died at his home on 26 October 2007 of cardiac arrest. He was 74 years old. He was born on 3 March 1933 in Ratón, NM, to Edith Martin Hanna and Hugh E. Hanna Sr. During his early years, Hugh lived in New Mexico, Maryland, Idaho and Illinois, moving to Newport, OR, in 1949. He graduated from Newport High School in 1951 and from the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1956. He also completed coursework for a graduate degree in Meteorology at University of Washington.

Hugh entered the U.S. Air Force after graduation from the Naval Academy. During his military career, he worked as a meteorologist on numerous bases in the United States, as well as in Morocco and Spain. He served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. He retired as a major from the Air Force in 1976 and moved to Santa Barbara in 1977 to work for Oceanographic Services.

Subsequently, Hugh worked for several other meteorological companies in California and Oregon. He also served two terms on the Santa Barbara County grand jury, during which time he was instrumental in closing the Casmalia Hazardous Waste Dump. 

Hugh married Karolyn Klammer on 25 March 1967 in Mankato, MN. He is survived by Karolyn, his loving wife of 40 years; their children, Kirsten Becker (Lee) of Mankato, MN, and Mark Hanna (Miyuki) of Seattle, WA; and grandchildren, Axton, Isabel and Nikolai Becker. He is also survived by two children from a previous marriage, Gordon “Gus” Hanna (Debbie) of Killeen, TX; and Erin Hanna and her daughter, Catherine of Austin, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Max Moore; and infant daughter, Elise.

Services were held on 30 October 2007 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church followed by interment at Goleta Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Redeemer

Lutheran Church, 770 Vala Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93111 or Foundation for Santa Barbara City College c/o Hanna Scholarship Fund, 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. The Hanna Family