Tom Hanson
Tom Hanson was the second son of William C. and Ruth Hanson, and was raised with five siblings in Jefferson, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1967, where he served as Student Body President. He received his law degree from the University of Chicago. Tom practiced law briefly in Chicago and for more than 50 years in Des Moines.
While his first love was law, Tom gained great pleasure in caring for his farm near Rippey, Iowa. He set aside 160 acres as a habitat for wildlife and pollinators and installed a bioreactor to clean agricultural runoff. Tom’s love for his profession, his family, his community and his planet was sharpened by a passion for debate and controversy. He was not afraid to criticize and push for improvement. We need more like him.
The Fund
Judge William C. (Bill) Hanson was born into poverty and with double clubfeet, but with powerful heart and mind. Bill later married Ruth Hastings. Both were proud University of Iowa graduates with remarkable personal stories. Together they raised six children including Tom. After Judge Hanson’s death in 1995, Ruth Hanson founded the Judge William C. Hanson Pediatric Orthopedic Fund. The Fund connects Judge Hanson’s lifelong struggles with support of forward-looking solutions for new generations of afflicted kids – the Ponseti Method.
The result for young Bill: it would be a painful struggle just to walk -- every day for the rest of his life. But walk he did, by will, determination and special boots (see photo) for his deformed feet, without braces, crutches, or other devices. Today, the Ponseti Method has proven 100% effective when properly applied to treat clubfoot in newborn babies.
Had the Ponseti Method been around when Judge Hanson was young, his life could have been much different. With the Ponseti Method, great strides are being made toward eliminating the long-term effects of clubfoot with inexpensive, non-surgical treatment. Tom recognized this and would appreciate your support as well.
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