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Craig Swenson

I first met Gene Hankins as a youngster in the early days of Greenhaven Annex in Kansas City North. It was a neighborhood of WWII Veterans, Homemakers and an abundance of “baby boomers”. Included in this description were Gene and Doris Hankins, who had three boys; Bob and Judy Stevens, who had three girls; and Harry and Ruth Swenson, who had three boys. All their children were close in age and were seemingly destined by proximity and other factors to become good friends. Anyone in the neighborhood who went to church, played Little League baseball, had anything to do with the Cub Scouts or a host of other activities knew the Hankins boys and also knew Gene Hankins. I was the middle Swenson boy and I was involved in most all these activities. In everything I did, Gene was there to provide me instruction, guidance and support. But it wasn’t just me. It was anyone in the neighborhood who needed help or a little encouragement that would benefit from Gene’s calm and positive manner. You just couldn’t help but like him! Gene’s mentoring had a positive impact on me growing up in KC and even later as an adult. It was always clear to me that he also had a very positive impact on his three sons, as I saw them being active and very successful in all aspects of life in High School. Their success carried on into their adult lives as well, as both Bob and Tom became very successful lawyers, and Bill became a recognized teacher and a renowned photojournalist! My recollection of Gene’s encouragement to me (and others) was to believe in yourself, and to do what needed to be done, because you could do it if you really tried! Years later, Gene once said to me in a letter, “As you grow older you become more aware of just how great it is to have a nice family.” Gene had a especially nice family of which he was immensely proud. His family is equally proud of Gene, and the legacy he leaves behind will carry on forever!
Friday April 28, 2017 at 9:18 am
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