Allen Hansen, 84, passed away peacefully at Royal Hobart Hospital in Tasmania, Australia, on May 15, 2021. Born in Oconto, he was the oldest child of Irving and Anna (Ottow) Hansen. Allen was raised in Lena, graduated from Lena High School in 1954 and graduated from UW-Madison in 1958 with a degree in mining engineering and naval science.
Allen proudly served as a captain in the Marines, flying helicopters in Vietnam. He was also called to service for the Cuban Missile Crisis and for the Dominican Republic conflict. One of his hobbies was discovering and salvaging Civil War shipwrecks on the east coast. This love of scuba diving led him to Australia.
In 1969, Allen founded Tasmanian Seafoods, building the largest wild abalone canning business in Australia and then became the third largest in the world. Tasmanian Seafoods also processes sea cucumbers, whiting, prawn and tuna. He also owned other businesses including hotels, real estate and sports teams. He was one of the most successful and influential people in Australia and met with the prime ministers on various occasions.
Allen was the loving father of Michelle, Darvin, Lauren and Candace. He was the proud grandfather of Emily, Ava, Max and Zane.
Allen was preceded in death by his daughter, Lauren; his brother, Vern Hansen; and his parents, Irving and Anna Hansen.
Allen is survived by his siblings, Carol (Ken) Lindow, of Horicon, Kirt (Angie), of Gillett, Gary (Diane), of Gillett, Irving Jr. (Carol), of Green Bay, Gail (Al) Lumby, of Horicon, Kevin (Cathy), of De Pere, Brian, of Gillett, and Dean (Barb), of Shawano. Allen is also survived by his aunts, Alice (Ottow) Nisk, of Clearwater, Florida, and Erna (Ottow) Mainhardt, of Manitowoc.
His funeral and burial were held in Hobart, Australia.
Allen will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Allen Hansen
