Jack Hanson, former ABC7 weatherman, longtime Bay Area TV news personality dies at 91, family says

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A longtime Bay Area television news personality whose career spanned nearly six decades has died.

Former KGO-TV weatherman Jack Hanson died at the age of 91, according to his family.

His family told ABC7 on Monday, Hanson passed away peacefully after a long illness.

"Jack was a gracious, beautiful, and charming human being. Beyond his accomplished career in television which spanned over five decades, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be dearly missed," his family wrote in statement.

Hanson was a third generation San Franciscan. He started in the mailroom as a young man and worked his way up to being on-camera talent. He interviewed figures such as Henry Kissinger, Gerald Ford, Dick Van Dyke, Sophia Loren and Willie Mays.

He worked at several Bay Area stations and co-hosted ABC7's "AM San Francisco" in the 1960s.

Hanson was also a cartoonist.

In March 2019, ABC7 meteorologist Drew Tuma met the legendary Hanson and wrote this Facebook post.

"This was such a fun surprise!! Jack Hanson used to do the weather on Channel 7 back in the 1960s! His trademark was drawing a "shivering dog" on the weather maps marking the coldest place in the country. Such a treat to chat with him," Tuma wrote.

In addition to KGO-TV, Hanson also worked at KRON, KPIX, KTVU and the Cable Health Network, according to the National Academy Television Arts and Sciences Northern California Chapter.

NATAS also wrote in Hanson's Gold Circle induction he has done artwork for the Sierra Club's publication; appeared on television, movies, commercials, industrial television programs; hosted award shows; and served as emcee for many charities such as Juvenile Diabetes and the S.F. Youth Guidance Center.

He is survived by Pauline Hanson--his wife of 30 years--along with eight children and nine grandchildren.

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