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FALL / WINTER 2021 WEBB MAGA ZINE
THE WEBB SCHOOLS webb.org
Planned Giving
Wayne “Skip” Hanson ’59 Creates a Home for Future Generations of Bertha M. Lynch Scholars Skip Hanson ’59 had a deep and abiding devotion to Webb, a school that he held close to his heart. He demonstrated this devotion over decades through his actions and his leadership. As Skip’s extraordinary life was coming to a close, he talked openly about Webb and why Webb was so important to him. In the summer of 2018, Skip told Dutch Barhydt, Webb’s director of institutional advancement, that when he arrived on the Webb campus in the mid 1950’s, he felt that he had “come home.” He felt that Thompson and Vivian Webb and the men and women of the Webb faculty and staff took a sincere interest in him as an individual, as a student and as an athlete. Skip carried those early impressions with him for the next six decades, through two tours of duty with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, through a successful career as an early leader in the commercial property management business, and as a trustee of The Webb Schools. Serving as a Webb trustee for over twelve years, Skip oversaw Webb’s complex insurance and risk management needs and led the school through the annual process to ensure that Webb was properly protected at all times. Skip admitted to a fascination with Webb’s infrastructure, particularly the less-glamorous but highly critical infrastructure that could not be seen, including the underground pipes that carry water to various points on campus. He knew that maintaining these pipes was critical to maintaining Webb’s campus. To honor Skip’s commitment some years ago, Webb’s Director of Finance, Planning and Operations Janet Peddy created
an award recognizing Skip’s work. The award was a trophy constructed of old and rusted (but authentic!) pipes from the Webb campus. That award remained prominently on a shelf where Skip could see it every day. In addition to his leadership in insurance and risk management, Skip chaired Webb’s Real Estate Trust Committee, guiding Webb through issues relating to the acquisition of real estate either for the campus, or presented to Webb as charitable gifts. Skip’s devotion to Webb went far beyond Webb’s physical plant, to include Webb’s students. In 1990, Skip, along with his brother Robert M. Hanson ’62 and their father Wayne A. Hanson, created The Bertha M. Lynch Principes Non Homines Scholarship in memory of the Hansons’ maternal grandmother. Given Skip’s strong inclination to not only demonstrate leadership, but to nurture it in others, this scholarship is awarded to students with the following attributes: admirable qualities of character, academic excellence, financial need, the potential to contribute positively to the spirit and life of the Webb community (athletics, performing arts, publications, etc.), and demonstrated leadership potential.
