LMC mourns the loss of philanthropist, former Board member Merlin Hanson

One of Merlin Hanson's favorite sayings came from a Coca-Cola bottle. "No Deposit, No Return."

For Merlin, the words went beyond trading a few cents for glass. It became a mantra for a life well-lived. Merlin made many deposits over the years, creating endless returns for the community he loved. The titan of Southwest Michigan industry, community benefactor, and long-time advocate of Lake Michigan College died Tuesday, June 21, at age 94.

Merlin served on Lake Michigan College's Board of Trustees from 1982-91 as vice-chair and board chair. The leader and philanthropist was instrumental in the construction of LMC's Mendel Center and the Hanson Technology Center. Along with his wife of 40 years, Carolyn, Merlin built a legacy of service and giving that will continue to impact LMC for decades to come.

"The legacy and lasting impact Merlin and Carolyn Hanson have left on Lake Michigan College cannot be overstated," LMC President Dr. Trevor Kubatzke said. "He was humble and generous and cared deeply about creating educational opportunities for everyone."

While serving on the Board, Merlin led the charge to complete the construction of LMC's Mendel Center. On Nov. 6, 1991, the Hanson Theatre was dedicated to honor Merlin and Carolyn's leadership and philanthropic support for the project. The Hansons gifted much of their extensive art collection to LMC. Many of those pieces are on display near the Hanson Theatre.

Thirty years later, another gift from the Hansons and the Hanson Family Foundation helped fund more than $600,000 in improvements to the Hanson Theatre, which remains the primary performance space for the college's choral, instrumental, and theatre students.

Merlin was an original LMC Educational Fund board member, now known as the LMC Foundation. In 2006, Merlin and Carolyn received the Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award, presented annually to individuals who have advanced the cause of Lake Michigan College and higher education.

The Hanson Technology Center, another namesake project, was completed in 2016. The 49,376-square-foot building was created to lead LMC's advanced manufacturing education and skilled-trades training. It is home to fabrication, welding, electronics, and machine tooling courses. It also houses one of the country's few large-scale interactive Fabrication Labs where the community can learn and create digital fabrication projects. Merlin and Carolyn were significant donors to the venture.

"The Hanson Technology Center was built to define the future of advanced manufacturing education and skilled-trades training," Kubatzke said. "That idea includes not only how a space functions but also how it inspires."

A native of South Bend, Indiana, Merlin's parents, Harold, and Alice, were both deaf. Merlin credited his Aunt Ruth for teaching him to speak before he entered kindergarten.

He trained as a tool-and-die apprentice and joined Weldun, a small tool-and-die shop, becoming partner in just a few years. Merlin took over as the owner in 1976. He renamed Weldun's mold operation Hanson Mold and would later add Hanson Logistics, Eagle Technologies, and Hanson Beverage, collectively known as the Hanson Group.

In addition to his generous support of LMC, Merlin was a community leader crucial to the founding of Cornerstone Alliance, the economic development organization dedicated to increasing employment opportunities in the region. A $1.5 million gift from the Hansons led to the creation of the Merlin & Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center at Spectrum Health Lakeland, the first center of its kind in the region.

IN HONOR OF HIS ENDURING LEGACY, donations in Merlin’s name can be made to Lake Michigan College at lakemichigancollege.edu/support or Caring Circle of Spectrum Health Lakeland at spectrumhealthlakeland.org/caring-circle/give-now/donate.