Ian Hancock Edinburgh Hanks
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Ian Hancock Edinburgh Hanks

  • November 20, 1981 - December 23, 2011
  • Austin, Texas
  • Over the years, he, Roger, and Sandra provided life-saving heart surgery for seven Chinese school children through Project Hope. To donate to this charity, see www.hanksbrothers.com/collections/charity
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Memories & Candles

“My heart goes out to all of your dear family at such an unfathomable loss. My memories of a happy-go-lucky little guy date back to the WPDS slab and...Read More » ”
1 of 23 | Posted by: Lanie Tankard - Austin, TX

“We are saddened to hear of Ians passing. While we only met him once, his Dad's stories about him were very entertaining and worthy of admiration....Read More » ”
2 of 23 | Posted by: Ken Dubuque and Eileen Guerrin - NY

“We are so sorry to hear of Ian's death. I have just read his obituary, as we have been out of town these past few days. He must have known that his...Read More » ”
3 of 23 | Posted by: Lisa and Matt Dow - Austin, TX

“As a student at St. Stephen's, Ian was all the great things others have said about him. Though I never taught him, I know how great an influence he...Read More » ”
4 of 23 | Posted by: Wallis Goodman - TX - Teacher

“for Sandra and all of Ian's loved ones: Thinking of you each and all and hoping tender mercies of love, comfort and peace buoy you through these...Read More » ”
5 of 23 | Posted by: Dee and Robert Jackson - Austin, TX

“Ian is a spirit of life to the fullest! It was easy to see that he was going to do extraordinary things and leave a lasting impression on the world...Read More » ”
6 of 23 | Posted by: Leah - TX

“Our condolences to Whit, Janice, Roger, Louise & Sandra. Ian was a very special person. He always had that great smile. Our thoughts & prayers are...Read More » ”
7 of 23 | Posted by: dr. richard king - austin, TX

“Dear Whit and family, I am so very sorry to learn of your loss. Ian's life, though all too short, did indeed make a positive difference in our...Read More » ”
8 of 23 | Posted by: Joan Howes - Georgetown, TX

“Dear Janice, and family and wife Sandra: It is incredibly sad that Ian is gone from this earth. I deeply regret this loss for you. Although I only...Read More » ”
9 of 23 | Posted by: sasha russell - austin, TX

“Ian shared with us many good memories when he visited us a few times in Shanghai. He visited every child with heart diseases supported by him before...Read More » ”
10 of 23 | Posted by: Lily Hsu - Shanghai - Friend

“Janice - Its sounds like Ian lived his life to the fullest....much, much more than some of the rest of us. Our hearts are wounded at your lose, our...Read More » ”
11 of 23 | Posted by: Brad and Charlotte Ballard - TX

“Dear Janice and Sandra and family: The death of your dear Son/husband/brother is great tragedy. Anouk and I knew Ian as a gentle soul who loved life...Read More » ”
12 of 23 | Posted by: Sasha Russell - Austin, TX

“Our most sincere sympathies...Ian will be missed but remembered by all who knew him for his love of life, his contagious enthusiasm and his kindness....Read More » ”
13 of 23 | Posted by: Liz Spradling - Houston, TX

“My thoughts and prayers are with each of you Whit, Janice, Louise, and Roger. Sandra I am so glad you had each other and am so proud of the work you,...Read More » ”
14 of 23 | Posted by: Pat Monroe - Austin, TX

“Our prayers and thoughts are with your family. Susan Sternberg ”
15 of 23 | Posted by: Susan Sternberg

“Sorry for your loss. ”
16 of 23 | Posted by: George Holmes - Austin, TX

“Our deepest sympathies for your loss. Neal & Ann ”
17 of 23 | Posted by: Neal Grolnic & Ann Oppenlander

“I got on my first blog to follow one of Ian's early trips in China. I knew it would be an interesting read. I only knew him briefly in a seminar,...Read More » ”
18 of 23 | Posted by: Shelley Sallee - Austin, TX

“I will always remember Ian's spontaneity and contagious sense of fun. In particular, I remember him lip-syncing to "Piano Man" in his dorm room while...Read More » ”
19 of 23 | Posted by: Pepe

“A memory: Ian and Will Meredith, as juniors, on the hill at SSES, trying to see you could spin around longer without falling down. Exuberance. ”
20 of 23 | Posted by: Christopher Colvin

“I had the pleasure of meeting Ian when he was one year old at Westminster Day School. Ian was then, and remained throughout his life, one of the...Read More » ”
21 of 23 | Posted by: Sherry Smith - Austin, TX

“My condolences to your immediate and extended family. Ian will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. ”
22 of 23 | Posted by: DJ - Austin, TX

“Dear Hanks Family, We are so sorry for your tremendous loss of Ian. He was a very gifted, loving person in all ways and to all people. He set...Read More » ”
23 of 23 | Posted by: June and Jim Baumoel - TX


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Ian Hancock Edinburgh Hanks
Nov. 20, 1981 – Dec. 23, 2011

Ian Hanks, 30, died Friday, December 23, in Austin. He leaves with us a legacy of friendship, love, and passion. We, your family and many friends from around the world, are better for knowing you, Ian, and we will miss you with all of our heart for the rest of our lives. You have set a high standard for exactly how to live and love, and we are indebted to you forever.

Ian was conceived in Edinburgh, Scotland. He spent his first seven months in his mother's womb there, and then traveled to Austin, Texas to begin his life here on Earth. He grew up in Tarrytown, attended Casis Elementary School and then entered the wonderful, nurturing environment at St. Stephen's Episcopal School as a sixth grader, where the foundation for many of his lifelong friendships was established.

As an 11th grader, Ian developed lymphoma. At the time of his diagnosis, he was traveling with his father in Hungary on an antiques buying trip. From that day forward, his life transformed and he became a messenger of love and living in the moment, because he realized--as few of us do--just how fragile life is and how wonderful each day can be.

Ian survived lymphoma, graduated with honors from St. Stephen's and then graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. He wished to learn and master only one topic—how to experience life in a meaningful way. As a Wesleyan sophomore, he was blessed to discover his life's passion—China. He graduated with a degree in East Asian Studies and was selected as a Princeton in Asia scholar. He worked as a consultant in Shanghai with Tractus Asia, a management consulting firm. During his time at Wesleyan and for all these years afterward, he has lived and breathed his adopted country and culture. He became the most fluent Mandarin speaking American that anyone knows.

After graduation, Ian lived for three years in Shanghai, then a year in Hong Kong, and finally three more years in Hangzhou, his favorite city in China. In Hangzhou, he met the love of his life, Sandra. For the past two years, Sandra and Ian have spent every moment together and we—their family and friends—can say without reservation that they are the two happiest lovers we have ever beheld. We are all so happy that Ian found the true love of his life, something we are all searching to experience.

While in Hangzhou, Ian and his brother Roger founded Hanks Brothers Chinese Trading Company. Over the years, he, Roger, and Sandra provided life-saving heart surgery for seven Chinese school children through Project Hope. To donate to this charity, see www.hanksbrothers.com/collections/charity.

During Christmas 2005, Ian was diagnosed with astrocytoma, a form of brain cancer that is not curable. Through his ordeal, which included various forms of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, Ian lived in the moment. He woke up every day during the past six years in China determined to have another great day. We feel confident that he enjoyed every single one.

In fact, we who know Ian so well hold the common belief that we have had the joy and comfort of knowing the most remarkable person we will ever know. His wisdom and compassion give each of us a glimpse into how to really live life. For a peek into Ian's world, see his recent China blog: http://ianhanks.blogspot.com/

Ian is survived by the most remarkable woman in the world, his wife Sandra Hanks; his mother Janice Hanks; his father, Whit Hanks; his brother, Roger Hanks; his sister, Louise Hanks; his grandmother, Lucy Hanks; his other mother, Tita Dueñas, and hundreds and hundreds of loved ones from all over the world.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at St. Stephen's Episcopal School Chapel, 6500 St. Stephen's Dr., Austin, followed by a graveside ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery. A reception will follow at Ian's home.