Stig Svenning Hansen

Stig Svenning Hansen, 58, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at The Bryne Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He was born on January 18, 1966, in Singapore and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark, until the age of 16, when he moved to Port Washington, NY. He was the son of the late Birger Svenning Hansen and Lis Hansen.

Stig was married to Sofia Hansen. They were wed on June 7, 1997, in New York, New York, and enjoyed 27 years of marriage together.

Stig graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and later earned an MBA in Finance from the Stern School of Business. He was a member of the Upper Valley Rowing Foundation and built a successful career in finance, working with esteemed organizations such as Finex, Travelers Group, MetLife, and Goldman Sachs. In addition to his finance career, Stig shared his knowledge as an educator, teaching Mathematics at Thetford Academy, AP Physics and Physics at Hartford High School, and MBA courses at Southern New Hampshire University.

Stig is survived by his beloved daughter, Isabella Maria Svenning Hansen; his sons, Kristian Stig Svenning Hansen and Erik Michael Svenning Hansen; and his cherished siblings, Bo Svenning Hansen and Lene-Marie Svenning Hansen. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, in-laws, and other family members, as well as many dear friends who held a special place in his heart.

Tribute to Stig Hansen from his wife

My beautiful, wonderful husband, Stig, passed away on November 10th 2024, surrounded by the love of his family. Stig was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer, ten years ago. His prognosis was grim—only 12 to 18 months to live—but Stig defied the odds, fighting with courage and strength far beyond what anyone expected. He lived for 10 more years, never letting the disease define him or his life.

I met Stig 33 years ago, and we were married for 27 years. He was my best friend and my rock. He introduced me to international travel and the great Danish culture, helped me build my confidence, and was my one and only roommate. We shared a deep, unwavering love for each other. Stig made me feel cherished, special, and appreciated. I will forever miss the way he loved me, how much he valued my feelings, and how upset he would get whenever he saw I was hurt, always wanting to make things better. That is something I will hold close in my heart.

The most precious gift he gave me was our three wonderful children. We are so incredibly proud of them, and much of who they are today is because of the amazing father and role model Stig was to them. Our kids were in their early teens when Stig was diagnosed with this devastating disease. Despite the challenges, they have grown into compassionate, loving, and dependable young adults. I am in awe of their strength, and Stig and I are both incredibly proud of them.

One of the things I loved most about Stig was his passion for rowing and how much happiness it brought him. He began rowing at Columbia, where he made the heavyweight boat, and his love for the sport never waned. Even after his diagnosis with GBM, he continued to row. He rowed with the Upper Valley Rowing Foundation (UVRF) and competed in the Head of the Charles just two years after being diagnosed. That speaks volumes about what a fighter he was—finding the strength to train and compete in one of the most prestigious rowing events in the world while battling one of the deadliest forms of cancer. He continued rowing with UVRF until he could no longer maintain his balance, at which point he switched to rowing on his erg at home, where he rowed until six months ago.

Stig was a true fighter. His positive attitude throughout his cancer journey was nothing short of incredible. He never complained about his situation; instead, he approached it as a challenge he would overcome. He exercised, ate healthy, and lived his life with dignity and strength. He was an amazing role model to me, our kids, and to everyone who knew him.

The last ten years were far from easy, but Stig’s resilience was unwavering. He watched all of our children graduate from high school and college, and he saw them grow into compassionate, wonderful young adults. He was a warrior—tough, determined, and unyielding. His positivity and strength were present until his very last breath.

Cancer may have robbed me of the chance to grow old with my beautiful Stig, but as heartbroken as I am, I am equally grateful for the 33 years we spent together. I will never experience a love like the one I had with Stig, nor will I ever forget the beautiful journey of raising our three incredible children. I truly believe I am the luckiest woman in the world, having had more happiness than I could have ever imagined. I am grateful for every moment we shared.

Stig’s spirit will live on in the stories people share about how he touched their lives, in the love visible in the eyes of our family and friends, and in the strength and resilience of our children. Though things will never be the same, the world is better for having had Stig in it.

ARRANGEMENTS: No services will be held. There will be a Celebration of Life at 1 p.m., January 19th 2024, Dewey's at the Quechee Club, 3270 Quechee Main Street, Hartford, Vermont 05059.Those who wish may make a memorial contribution to the Glioblastoma Foundation.