Cuties

DAD , loved animals gardening and art.

Wow, just found out my childhood/teenage best friend Keith passed away. We both attended Beale School in San Diego and were also best friends when he was in San Diego during our early college days at Mesa College on Kearny Mesa. Keith came to stay with my family in 1966 after coming down from Bremerton, Wash. We had some wild times at the 'Palace' on Midway Ave. which was a 'teen nightclub' with a psychedelic theme of flashing lights. The Iron Butterfly was the house band at that time and they went on to become a really big thing during the '60s. Three of us, including Eddie Chenault were the 'three musketeers' looking for 'love' anywhere it could be found, in both San Diego and Tijuana. Later, when the Hansons moved to Camarillo, Keith moved back home. I also went to visit Keith in Camarillo twice and visited him at his mobile home park in Van Nuys three times, once with Victoria, my wife of 52 years, also. I hope he didn't suffer and the end came quickly. Although we lost touch in the latter years, I  could never forget Keith who was my best friend from way back. Yes, I write this with great sadness.

-James J. Dickinson, now living in N. Idaho near the Canadian border. 

The physical pain of losing Keith is starting to subside but not the grand feeling of total loss of him. Sometimes I pretend he is still here. I find myself  in need of his quick phone call, when he had a little time to talk while he waited for an appointment. Also His long and leisurely calls when he had plenty of time to talk.  There is a void in my life. If you are reading this Keith I miss you we all do. Your love of literature, 🎨 art, and good food was unparalleled.  You loved jokes, puns and a good laugh.  If you can come back I will look for you everyday........till then I remain your loving ❤️ sister, Brenda 

Dad is now free.

          My favorite memories about my Dad were when he was the troop leader for my cub scout troop. Especially about the regional Jamboree where troops from all over gathered to compete for awards. Dad was adamant that our troop train with maximum effort for months ahead of the Jamboree. As a result of Dad's leadership our troop excelled in all of the events throughout the day. Dad was a dedicated and unique troop leader. I am grateful for the memories. Dad was the best!

Keith became a dear friend who I soon considered a brother. I met him in 1983 while I was a Naval officer at Pt Mugu. I was interested in real estate investments and I noticed him in a Hardy Maul Realty advertising booklet. He was by far the most accomplished realtor in that publication and I could see that he was a clear standout go- getter and thus the only realtor for me. Before I left Pt Mugu 2 years later, I had purchased 6 condominiums thru Keith and they all were purchased with no money out of my pocket by innovative financing that he arranged which included loaning his commissions to make the deals work. He thus accommodated my cash limitations. We agreed at the time that I would purchase all properties thru him, he would manage them and eventually would get the listings when the time came to sell. We continued over the years to acquire more properties eventually totaling 18. I was only local for the first couple years and thereafter I was an out of town and even out of country landlord. Keith did all the management. I trusted him completely. He personally collected and deposited all rents into my local bank account each month for over 40 years. When inevitable repairs became necessary, he arranged and managed the work to be done, many times by his son Chris, settled the fees through his own finances and we settled the account each month. No one could believe I had such a reliable and totally trustworthy manager who made it all happen. When Keith decided he was ready to retire his loyalty drove him try hard to find a replacement property manager but I knew no one could replace Keith. None of the managers we interviewed even came close. Plus, Keith had dealt with so many headaches over the years that he felt real ownership in those condos.  Since he had literally held my hand for years, the thought of anyone else managing my properties literally scared the hell out of me. I reminded him of the agreement I had made 40 years ago hoping to convince him to stay the course.  I really meant years ago for him to sell all the properties thus completing a beautifully symmetrical cradle to grave ( purchase, manage, sell) fairy tale. Keith mercifully agreed to delay his retirement long enough to get all 18 properties sold. He was the absolute best. Keith was directly responsible, as we planned decades ago, for leaving me with the secure retirement funding I now enjoy through his superior real estate services. He was the singularly most important financial force in my life. I cannot express how much I appreciate, love and sadly miss my dear friend and brother Keith Hanson. 

My condolences to Keith's family. I first met Keith when he was still  married.  We became friends over 35 years ago and he also became my realtor! He gave me excellent advice through the ups and downs of my life!  We would often get together for lunch at either the Mandarin House or the Sportsman and discuss our lives and talk about my often crazy tenants.  I always enjoyed giving him a framed photo of mine at Christmas!  I miss him so much!

That is a wonderful obituary! Dad was the best! He will definitely be missed!