Robert W. Hansen

Robert Wayne Hansen (April 29, 1911 – June 9, 1997) was an American lawyer and jurist, and was a Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.[1]

The Honorable

Robert W. Hansen
Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
In office
August 1, 1967 – July 31, 1977
Preceded byGeorge R. Currie
Succeeded byWilliam G. Callow
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge
for the Milwaukee District, Branch 13
In office
January 2, 1961 – August 1, 1967
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded byMaurice Spracker
Personal details
Born
Robert Wayne Hansen

(1911-04-29)April 29, 1911
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedJune 9, 1997(1997-06-09) (aged 86)
Okauchee Lake, Wisconsin, U.S.
Spouse(s)
Dorothy
​
(m. 1941⁠–⁠1997)​
ChildrenKaren (Schaf)
John
Susan
James
EducationMarquette University Law School (JD)

Early life

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hansen graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1933. He was a devoted member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and served as the order's National President and editor of the order's national magazine.

In 1951, Hansen became chief examiner of the Milwaukee Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, and served in that role until he was appointed to the Milwaukee County District Court in 1954, by Governor Walter J. Kohler, Jr. He was elected in 1960 to the newly created 13th Milwaukee county branch of the 2nd Circuit of Wisconsin Courts, defeating Irene Gyzinski. The 13th branch was created as the family court division in Milwaukee county. He served from 1961 to 1968, winning re-election 1965 without opposition.

Wisconsin Supreme Court

In 1967, he was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating the incumbent Chief Justice, George R. Currie. It was the first time that a sitting Wisconsin Chief Justice had been defeated for re-election. During the campaign, Hansen had pointed out that even if Currie had been re-elected, he would have to retire after two years due to the mandatory retirement law that was then in-effect for Wisconsin judges. Hansen served his ten-year term and did not seek re-election, noting that the same mandatory retirement law would impact him in only a few years if he were re-elected. His term ended July 31, 1977.[2][3]

Later years

Hansen and his wife Dorothy had four children. Justice Hansen died June 9, 1997.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Circuit Court (1960, 1965)
Wisconsin Circuit Court, 2nd Circuit, Milwaukee County Branch 13 Election, 1960[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Robert W. Hansen 220,095 79.08%
Independent Irene F. Gyzinski 58,231 20.92%
Total votes '278,326' '100.0%'
Wisconsin Circuit Court, 2nd Circuit, Milwaukee County Branch 13 Election, 1965[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Robert W. Hansen (incumbent) 104,455 100.0%
Total votes '104,455' '100.0%'

Wisconsin Supreme Court (1967)
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election, 1967[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Robert W. Hansen 479,117 55.94%
Independent George R. Currie (incumbent) 377,426 44.06%
Total votes '856,543' '100.0%'

Notes
  1. "Former Supreme Court Justices". Wisconsin Supreme Court. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2016.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. "Robert W. Hansen (1911–1997)". Wisconsin Supreme Court. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2016.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. Justice Robert Hansen-Wisconsin Supreme Court Archived 2010-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Wisconsin elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1962 (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 870. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  5. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Wisconsin elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1966 (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 818. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  6. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Elections in Wisconsin". The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1968 (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 757. Retrieved April 20, 2019.


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