Patron
of USC’s Shell & Oar Society and supporter of Men’s
Crew dies of cancer at age 82.
Lord James Hanson
Britain’s
Lord James Hanson, founder of Hanson Trust and ardent USC Crew supporter,
died at his home near Newbury, Berkshire, yesterday afternoon with his
son Robert at his side.
Lord Hanson’s wife, Geraldine, died earlier this year after almost
45 years of marriage.
The Yorkshire-born peer, who retired as chairman of the company that
bore his name in 1997, was a self-made man who became a symbol of the
entrepreneurial opportunities of the 1980s and early 1990s. Hanson built
an empire that, at its zenith, had a market value of £14 billion
and was more profitable than BP or Lloyds Bank.
With interests ranging from chemical factories in the United States
to electricity supply in the UK and goldmines in Australia, Hanson was
a true conglomerate. Its products, from cigarettes to batteries, timber
and toys, golf clubs and Jacuzzis, cod-liver oil capsules and cranes,
were everywhere.
Lord Hanson’s philanthropic interests also ranged across the globe.
He was an Honorary Trustee of the University of Southern California
and recently accepted the honor of being Patron of the Crew’s
Shell & Oar Society, the team’s support group.
The Trojan Navy first met Lord Hanson last summer at England’s
Henley Royal Regatta. “We were honored that he identified with
our pursuit of success,” said varsity oarsman Danny Friedman,
who is now an investment banker with Goldman Sachs.
Lord Hanson took a keen interest in the Trojan Navy at Henley Royal
Regatta, following the race in the Umpire’s Launch and then hosting
the Crew for lunch with his family at his private club in London.
In a recent letter to USC Coach Gene Kininmonth, The Lord Hanson volunteered
to cover the cost ($30,000) of the crew’s trip to Henley Royal
Regatta 2005.
“I don’t have to repeat to you what an excellent impression
you all made over here on behalf of USC and I know next year will be
even better,” wrote Lord Hanson.
We will miss him greatly.
The following links are to media obituaries:
http://www.opinion.telegraph.co.uk/news/
main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/03/db0301.xml
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1340800,00.html
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/3d5a5b8c-2c5b-11d9-8339-00000e2511c8.html
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