Carroll Richard “Dick” Hann, 95, of Hagerstown, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, early Tuesday morning, December 22, 2020.
Born at home in Hagerstown on July 23, 1925, he was the son of the late Carroll Luther Hann and Marguerite (Taylor) Hann.
Dick attended St. Mary’s Catholic School.
Dick enlisted in the United States Army in October 1943. He was assigned to Company E 358th Engineer Regiment, serving his overseas tour of duty during WWII in France, Belgium, Germany, and England. While in the Army, Dick was tasked to lay level, and tamp railroad tracks; he was also a truck driver and was responsible for deactivating landmines, as tasked reserved only for the bravest Army soldiers.
Dick was scheduled to depart for Japan in the summer of 1945, but the war ended and he came home safely to Hagerstown. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in January 1946.
Dick worked at the City of Hagerstown Municipal Electric Light Plant retiring in 1985 after 37 years of service. After retiring, he worked/played alongside his best friend, George Lushbaugh, for George’s plastering business.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hagerstown. He also held memberships in the following organizations: Alsatia Club; Hagerstown Elk’s Lodge 378; VFW, and Morris Frock American Legion Post 42.
Dick was a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan and he always sported his Red Sox hat with pride. He also loved the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dick was an avid bowler; he bowled for multiple leagues up until the age of 91.
He loved to garden and planted the best garden in Hagerstown all the way into his 90’s. Dick was famous for his “100-pound” pumpkins, even though his wife, Maureen, begged him to grow “the little pumpkins that sit on the front porch for Halloween.”
He loved planting flowers and shrubbery and had a green thumb for all plants. He also loved watching and feeding the birds and squirrels. In his younger years, he loved to fish, and he even raised homing pigeons. He enjoyed listening to music which included classic country, big band, and crooners.
Dick also loved his westerns, in which he would watch over and over again while informing all around him what happens next. While in the Army, Dick was an amateur boxer; he later boxed in a Hagerstown boxing league. In the spring, summer, and fall, you could always find Dick outside, from sunrise to sunset.
Most importantly, Dick had a magnetic character and was beloved by anyone who knew him.
Dick was a friend to everyone. He didn’t pay much mind to material possessions. He was a genuine man who always treated others with love and respect. He never asked anybody for anything. He never said a bad word about anybody.
He was known as “Pap” or “Mr. Hann” among the kids on Glenside Avenue through the years. Dick fixed bicycles; he built rubberband guns; he played baseball with the kids on the street; he was a friend to everyone, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for anyone.
During Dick’s final days, he continued to wake up every morning with a positive attitude. “I feel great!” Dick would say, coupled with his famous mischievous smile and a little twinkle in his eye.
Dick will be dearly missed by his beloved and devoted wife, Maureen Y. (Martin) Hann, of 69 years. He is survived by his loving daughter, Colleen M. Bowers and husband Leon Bowers of Hagerstown; grandson, Ryan R. Miner, and wife Kimberly Large Miner of Gaithersburg.
He was preceded in death by four siblings: Donaldine Gelwicks, Helen Vaughan, Thomas Hann, and Mary Louise Dennison. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and two great-grandchildren, Josh and Paige.
The family will receive friends on Monday, December 28, 2020, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Rest Haven Funeral Home: 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Rest Haven Funeral Home. The service will be live-streamed on Facebook (check Ryan Miner’s Facebook page).
Due to COVID restrictions, facial coverings and social distancing are required.
Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Washington County, 13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown, MD 21740.