Robert was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 7, 1928, to Frederick and Juanita Hanke. Growing up in an agricultural community helped engender his love of the outdoors, nature, and farming from an early age. Receiving a trumpet at the age of five fostered his lifelong love of music. The advent of the Great Depression upended any plans his family had for maintaining a rural lifestyle. They moved west to San Francisco, CA for work during the Great Depression. As a young lad, Robert worked as a paperboy delivering the news up and down the streets of San Francisco.
Robert graduated from Galileo High School in San Francisco in 1945, played trumpet in the high school band, and married his high school sweetheart, Diana Robertson, with whom he had three children – Susan, Lorrie, and David.
He put his college education at UC Berkeley on pause to join the Navy during WWII. Robert served as a radar technician aboard the USS Tarawa and played trumpet in the Navy band. After the war, his love of math, chemistry, and agriculture led him to complete his Agronomy degree from UC Berkeley.
Robert began his professional agricultural career learning the fertilizer business from Russ Robbins of Yuba City. In 1957 he opened his own business “Bob Hanke Chemicals, Inc.” selling liquid fertilizer sprays. In 1968 he partnered with his long-time friend, George Post, and they opened “Agricultural Advisors, Inc.” – an agricultural consulting business in Yuba City. Their ag business was one of the first to use integrated pest control to help solve agricultural pest and plant disease problems. Over their 40 plus years in business, they implemented numerous pioneering approaches that earned them both respect and recognition in their field.
In addition to his life’s work, the two great passions of Robert’s life have been his love of music and fly fishing.
Robert enjoyed playing music in various venues including Yuba City’s Rotary Club events alongside his good friend, and fellow musician, Norm Piner. He attended concerts, operas, and musicals throughout his life. His two favorite musical genres were Dixieland and Opera.
Robert’s passion for fly fishing began with fishing outings with his father, Frederick. Over time, Robert became an avid “catch and release” fisherman going on fly fishing adventures with his favorite family sidekicks – son, David, son-in-law, Ron, and grandson, Aaron. Over the years, he has fished with family and friends all over the world including his Yuba City fishing buddies: George Post, Ken Calhoun, Roy Hatamiya and son Ford, Sterling Mentink, and Ken Cenedella.
Robert loved a good story and a good laugh. He had a quiet, humble demeanor and a grateful heart as well as quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. A beloved father and grandfather, he was always supportive of the pursuits and dreams of his children and grandchildren. He will be sorely missed by all of us who knew and loved him.
Robert is survived by his three children and their spouses: Susan Gerbing and husband Ronald, Lorrie Hanke and husband John Daly, David Hanke and wife Rose, his grandchildren, and their spouses: Aaron Hanke and wife Brie, Robert Gerbing and wife Peyton, Ryan Gerbing, and his great-grandson – Jake Hanke (son of Aaron and Brie).
Robert was predeceased by his parents Frederick and Juanita Hanke, his ex-wife Diana Hanke and his long-time partner, Marlene Brocker, with whom he traveled the world.
The family would like to thank the Touchmark staff and Hospice of Spokane for the compassionate care and loving support Robert received while in their care.
A private family ceremony will be held in Spokane, WA.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to Hospice of Spokane, P.O. Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210. (phone: 1-888-459-0438)
Published by Spokesman-Review on Feb. 16, 2022.
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