In Memoriam

Hank Laun, overseer emeritus

Longtime Whitman overseer and businessman Hank Laun, 77, died Aug. 4, 2009, in Portland, Ore. Born on Nov. 9, 1931, in Wausaukee, Wis., Laun graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in business administration. He was called to active duty in the Army Military Police Corp in 1954 and served two years. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Harvard in 1958.

Hank joined Arthur Andersen & Co. consulting division (now Accenture), and was named a partner in 1970. He established the company’s consulting division in Japan, which has since grown to 3,000 consultants in the Far East region. In 1976, he moved to Portland, where he worked for the company until his retirement in 1989.

He was an avid golfer, fledgling artist and writer. He was an active Whitman College overseer from 1985 to 1995, chaired the Portland Art Museum board, and served on the Oregon Episcopal School board and in many capacities at his church.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Bonnie, and children, Duane Laun ’88; Beth Laun Ursin ’83 and her husband, Mark Ursin ’81; Dan Laun and Kathryn Laun.