Frank Hansen Memorial Regatta

Frank Hansen Memorial Race

(A Seafair Community Partner Event)

3595 So 188th St, SeaTac 98188

Second Weekend in September

Why Frank Hansen? 

Frank consistently offered complimentary comments toward the Angle Lake Shore Club efforts of sustaining long held traditions on the lake and frequently encouraged board members to consider bringing new events to the lake.  This encouragement motivated Shore Club Advisor, Steve Beck, to consider bringing hydroplane boats ‘back’ onto the lake after hearing the stories that Frank shared with him regarding races held here years ago. Once the event concept started forming, the suggestion was floated to consider honoring Frank for his support and encouragement.   

VOTED “BEST MAYOR” 

ACCORDING TO SEATTLE STRANGER MAGAZINE READERS

In 1989, retired airline pilot Frank Hansen began a new career in politics. He served a total of 16 years on the City of SeaTac City Council, including three terms as mayor. Frank was SeaTac's first mayor and is still considered by many to be our best. According to the Stranger, Hansen has won Best Mayor for as long as SeaTacians have been sending in Best of SeaTac ballots. 

Hansen compared early SeaTac politics to the Wild West. “Anybody could get things done in that free-for-all environment” he used to say “given enough git-up-an'-go”. And get things done Hansen did. Among his accomplishments, he was instrumental in obtaining approval for the third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; securing funding for the State Route 509 expansion project; moving City Hall to its current location on South 188th Street; and working with the Port of Seattle to extend Seattle's light rail service directly to SeaTac.

Frank had his very own brand of charm. He was open and unpretentious, gregarious and funny, intelligent and warm. Frank couldn't go anywhere - whether it was Costco or an international airport - without running into someone he knew. He was a wonderful storyteller, drawing on a lifetime's worth of colorful material. Frank derived great pleasure from his family, spending time in Maui, reciting the poetry of Robert W. Service, and grilling flank steak and salmon on his barbeque overlooking Angle Lake.

In an interview with the Highline Times back in 2010, Frank explained “During my first term as mayor we had an aggressive program to eliminate drugs and prostitution, including "John" sting operations. One evening I was headed north on International Boulevard when I noticed a very attractive lady standing by the road. As I got closer, I realized it was one of our police officers, Katy Horgan. I waved at her and kept going. The next day at city hall, Officer Katy told me it was good I hadn't stopped as Channel 5 was filming from across the street and that would have been hard to explain.”

That’s the kind of guy Frank was… always ready to share a story drawn from his very rich lifetime of experience.