Robert Parnell "Bob" Hanna

Robert Parnell “Bob” Hanna was born on October 27, 1929, in Lake Mills, Iowa, the son of the late Leslie Buel Hanna and Gertrude Ellen Hovland Hanna. He was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in November of that same year. Bob graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1947 and soon after moved to Washington, D.C., where he began working for the F.B.I. in 1948. On October 9, 1951, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy. He served on active duty until October 8, 1955, and continued in the mandatory Naval Reserve for an additional four years, receiving his final discharge in 1959. During his service, he was stationed in Bainbridge, Maryland, where he worked in the Naval Intelligence Division. Bob’s years with the F.B.I. proved meaningful in more ways than one—during this time he met Patricia Alexander, who was also employed by the bureau. The two were married at Petworth Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., on May 3, 1953. In honor of their marriage, F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover sent the couple a personal congratulatory letter, a gesture they treasured.

After marriage Bob and Pat lived in Oxford, PA and Bainbridge, MD where Bob was stationed at the United States Naval Training Center. Terry Susan, their first daughter, was born in the Naval Hospital during this time. From 1956 to 1958, Pat, Bob and Terry Susan lived in Jackson, TN where Pat worked for the Jackson Clinic in Medical Records while Bob attended Lambuth College. Their second child, Nina Ellen, was born during this time. In 1959, the family moved to Chamblee, GA where Bob completed his education in Hospital Administration at Georgia State College. From 1960 to 1961, they lived in Dalton, GA where Bob served his Hospital Administrative Residency, then moved to Selmer, TN in 1961. McNairy County General Hospital opened in June of 1962, and he served as Administrator for 30 years until retiring on November 1, 1991. His wife, Pat passed from this life on January 28, 2018.

Bob departed this life on November 27, 2025, at the age of 96 Years, 1 Month. He is survived by two daughters, Terry Susan Hanna and Nina Ellen Hanna Cooksey and husband Bill; three grandchildren: Travis Robert Harville and wife Elizabeth, Alex Chumney, and William Lee Cooksey V; two great-grandchildren: Easton Samuel Harville and Rye Elizabeth Harville; a nephew, Lon Andersen and wife Lois; and nieces: Linda Germann and husband William (Bill), Lezlie Heilman and husband Tim, Cindy Swenson and husband Duey, and Jayne Kiesler and husband Larry.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bob was preceded in death by a brother, Emerson Hanna; two sisters, Beverly Andersen and JoAnn G Butcher; and a grandchild, Samuel Robert Chambers.