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Andy Hanson, RIP


by Jerome Weeks 22 Oct 2008 2:13 PM

Photographer Andy Hanson has died. If you’ve lived in Dallas, you’ve seen his work. A staff photographer with the Dallas Times Herald from 1960 until its demise in 1992, Hanson may well have photographed more Dallas people and Dallas events than anyone else — and then continued to work for the News and for plenty […]

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Photographer Andy Hanson has died. If you’ve lived in Dallas, you’ve seen his work. A staff photographer with the Dallas Times Herald from 1960 until its demise in 1992, Hanson may well have photographed more Dallas people and Dallas events than anyone else — and then continued to work for the News and for plenty of other freelance gigs. I can’t count the number of times I ran into the always-polite, always-friendly Hanson at museum exhibitions, theater shows, just about any event short of a door opening.

Hanson had a recent showing of his work at the Fair Park Music Hall — in fact, it ended only a few days ago but some of it’s still up on the Dallas Summer Musicals website —  and another one in 2003 with Photographic Archives. It won’t seem like a real public occasion without him.

A lovely photo of him can be found on our Flickr page here.

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  • Nancy Miller

    What a true, sweet, kind, gentle man he was.

  • Sara Luxen

    He was such a wonderful person with a great sense of humor. Always enjoyed working with him. He will be missed.

  • David Moynihan

    Andy Hanson was really the best of the best. I am so fortunate to have had Andy as a mentor and the best teacher anyone could ever have in photography. I was a darkroom technician and partner who was lucky enough to share space with him at the great Dallas Times Herald. What I learned from Andy could not have been taught in four years of college courses. My years at the Times Herald were not many but the lessons I learned from that amazing photo staff and Andy in particular have helped me in my career in photography. I visited with Andy on opening day of the State Fair, where he was an institution and general host to all those he encountered. My heart is filled with sadness but I am so very thankful that I got to know and appreciate this truly gifted and wonderful individual. I have a few prints he made for me over the years, they will always remind me of the greatness that was Andy Hanson. Rest in Peace Andy and whenever I turn on that red darkroom light I will think of you and thank you for the time we shared. You always said: “You’re only as good as your last photo.” Your photos were all good, well not just good but great art. THANK YOU Andy Hanson. I love you. Your friend Dave Moynihan

  • Rawlins Gilliland

    THANK you KERA for joining other Dallas media in saluting Andy.

    Throughout my years in Dallas…and particularly when I was with Neiman Marcus… Andy was a great natured and canny side kick to any event. He had a million stories but was always careful to never be a gossip. In short, he was talented, comfortable with himself, a true student of human nature and a great side bar to living here in or around the movers and shaker circles.

    I bet no few are thrilled he never told all his secrets he alone must have known. I really am sad to see him go. Rest in peace, to a good man.

  • John Held, Jr.

    I met Andy my very first day (1981) in Dallas. A friend put us together…she knew we shared a love of rubber stamps (what didn’t Andy collect?) We were inseprable until I left for San Francisco in 1995. He knew everyone in Dallas…he was everywhere in Dallas. He was an icon of Dallas. Andy bore it all with grace. Never was there a more talented and yet humble person. In honor of our shared love of rubber stamps…let’s just say he left an indelible impression on me..

  • Al McCraw

    I met Andy in August 0f 2007. He was my next door neighbor and we became friends over the past year. He was just a great down to earth and humble guy. I had no idea how much of an icon he was to the Dallas area because he would have never told me. He did give me a program from one of his many exhibits with collections of his work over the years and I began to realize what he meant to the Dallas area. He always talked about how he loved El Fenix and we were going to go some day but that day never came. I’ll miss Andy