Remembering John Hanson
Dr. John C. Hanson was a leading figure in Winston-Salem orthodontic care for nearly 20 years. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he was a passionate and learned oral health provider who left behind his loving wife, Michelle, three boys, and two lovely girls.
A Legacy of Excellence
Amazingly, Dr. Hanson began his professional life in a very different place—as an engineer. With a resume including NASA and General Electric, he always felt something was missing. It wasn’t until he went to work one day with his wife Michelle, a dental hygienist, that he realized his true calling: orthodontics.
Dr. Hanson earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Certificate of Orthodontics at the University of Rochester Eastman Institute of Oral Health. He practiced at Chermak and Hanson Orthodontics in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for 19 years.
Building a Happy Home
While at Ohio State, Dr. Hanson met the love of his life, Michelle. They were happily married on June 16, 1990. Throughout 32 wonderful years of marriage, they had five children: Ben, Katy, Annie, Blake, and JT. John was a devoted husband and father. He dedicated his life to his family and instilled his Catholic faith and strong values into his loved ones.
A Full Life
Dr. Hanson loved the outdoors throughout his entire life. As a child, he and his brother, Chip, spent hours with their father, fly fishing, hunting, and exploring God's creation. He shared this love with a family of his own by leading them on Sunday hikes, camping in local state parks, fly fishing and hunting with his sons, and boating at Smith Mountain Lake.
Dr. Hanson was a man of many talents who never shied away from a challenge. A student of his workshop, he never met a problem he couldn't fix. He experimented with potato cannons, giant gumball machines, and middle school science projects, and his latest endeavors included building furniture for his family.
Dr. John Hanson was an active member of his local church and felt very strongly that giving back was the highest purpose anyone could be called to perform. He will be deeply missed.