Stretching my memories back several years I visualize a saturday morning exciting visit from Swalaba with our dear grandmother Mamfio to visit our favourite Auntie Korkor and her beautiful family at Osu. After some delicious meals and wonderful desserts, I always had the greatest pleasure of spending precious moments with each of my cousins starting with my "big Sis Martha" in her room, playing with Fredricker and Maggie in the garden and then moving to the rooms of Hansen, George, Amalia and Anneta to do our usual story-telling and reading. I believe Johan came much later then. Hansen must have been about seven years old and myself about thirteen years. I found him then really very cute, soft spoken and rather shy. I was inspired as I watched him grow from a distance how he combined good academic achievements with good looks and gentleness.."bon chic bon gens".. in Achimota School and hoped that I would one day have a son like that. Our paths never crossed again. I did read about his great achievements in the US and wished I had met or even interacted with him, at least, once until that fateful day...Perhaps we shall meet in Heaven one day. With fondest memories of our youthful days together. RIP. Cousin Dee

Catherine, I've probably never told you this story or maybe I have and getting forgetful in age. It was circa 77, traveling with my mother from Accra to London.  Hansen was traveling with your father to London as well.  During the trip, Hansen fell quite ill.  Your father, stalwart as ever, kept watch over him.  I think they were in First Class with my mother.

At some point, my mother became very worried, feeling a mother was needed. From the aisle way, through the side of the dividing curtain, I could see my mother talking with your Father with a look of concern and then somehow taking over Hansen's care.  I can't remember if Flight crew put him on the over head oxygen. 

I think the flight was uneventful otherwise.  My mother stopping by in Economy to speak to me and my mentioning that Hansen was my senior in school and that he was a Swaniker. She said he would be okay.  We arrived at Heathrow, with more fussing from my mother as we disembarked, Hansen rather tired and your father relieved like any father would be that he was okay on landing. 

I am not sure what all further conversation my mother had with your father ...post care or an offer to have the High Commission assist.  Your father thanked her and we went our various ways.  That was my first chance 'interaction' with Hansen who otherwise seemed like a habitual Form 5 gater like myself at Achimota. 

I was to meet him twice after that.  When he attended your wedding in Virginia and I was to meet his wife and two lovely sons. We would talk for a while.  Then I met him on FaceBook for a couple of months. Sending the odd High School Alumni message only to discover when I actually spoke to him on FB it would be his son I had been communicating with all along. Regardless, I would stay in touch.  Quite the comedy of errors but will always be honoured to have met his legacy thanks to technology. 

I cannot say I knew him well but these are my memories of him. A gentle spirit that could strike up wit and humour quite spontaneously and much to my surprise as seemingly reserved. May God grant Hansen eternal rest.  Our heartfelt condolences to his wife, children and the entire family.