Hardwick native Sam Hansen spent his 78th birthday (Nov. 12) transporting Luverne Public School students to and from school, a job he’s done for the past 60 years, and he’s not giving it up anytime soon.
“I just got my license renewed,” Hansen said. “It’s for four years, so I’m planning on driving for another four years.”
Hansen first passed the necessary chauffeur licensure tests in 1965 after his graduation from LHS at 18 years of age.
His father, Don, owned Hansen Bus Line in Hardwick, and he joined the family business as a part-time driver.
His mom, Helen, was one of the earliest female bus drivers in Rock County, having started behind the wheel in 1959.
“We had three routes in Hardwick,” Hansen said. “We picked the kids up in the Hardwick area, and at that time we had a grade school, so we dropped the kids off at the grade school and then the high school kids, we hauled them to Luverne.”
Hansen was able to drive between his own classes at Worthington Community College and South Dakota State University in Brookings.
In 1972 Hansen took over the family bus business, along with the service station his father operated in Hardwick.
It was while working at the station that Sam received his nickname. (His legal first name is Gordon.)
“I never talked or said anything, so one of the workers started calling me ‘Silent Sam’ and I’ve been Sam ever since,” he said.
In 1982 Hansen Bus Line ceased business, as the Luverne school district opted to operate its own transportation system.
“(Superintendent) Norman Miller decided that Luverne was going to own all the buses, so that put us out of business,” Hansen said.
He began driving bus for the Luverne district on Aug. 23, 1982, after 17 years driving for and operating Hansen Bus Lines and Sam’s Service in Hardwick.
While driving for Luverne, Hansen continued to operate “Sam’s Service” until 1992, before working for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2014.
Even as a mail carrier, Hansen continued to drive school bus.
“Friday was my day off and I drove probably just about every Friday,” Hansen said.
Today he drives bus full time, averaging 55 miles a day, down from a previous high of 85 miles a day when he drove a Hardwick route.
He has never had an accident and he rarely takes time off, returning to driving even after his heart attack 20 years ago while working for the postal service.
He has passed an annual physical each year since.
Hansen’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by school superintendent Craig Oftedahl.
“As a superintendent, the kind of loyalty and dedication shown by Sam Hansen is a rarity,” he said.
“I really appreciate the consistency and continuity that he has provided to the Luverne District. His ability to deliver students is paramount to our mission of delivering a quality education to all students each and every day.”
Oftedahl said the district employs 225 people to provide the educational opportunities for students, and Hansen’s dedication is a reminder that driving a bus is an integral part of the educational system.
“I would assume that he is likely the longest serving driver in the district’s history.” Is what Oftedahl said.
Hansen’s dedication is also generational. “I’ve had kids whose parents I’ve had on the bus at one time.” Hansen said.
He recognizes that the three hours a day he spends with students are important. When he forgets, he gets a welcomed reminder that brings tears to his eyes.
Three years ago he changed routes and doesn’t drive the familiar Hardwick route anymore.
“I have a lot of fond memories,” he said. “I just had a lady stop in the medical center the other day and said, ‘You know, my kids really miss you.’”
Sixty years ago Sam Hansen followed his parents into the Hansen Bus Line business as an 18-year-old. This year Hansen celebrates 60 years behind the wheel of a school bus.
Sam Hansen drives Luverne Public School bus No. 51 back to the bus garage Nov. 12, his 78th birthday. He has driven school bus for 60 years and plans driving for at least four more.
