Norris Hansell

Norris Hansell, M.D., MPH, died peacefully on April 14 at MeadowBrook health center. The visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St. on Sunday from 2 to 3:30 pm, memorial service following. Burial will be private at Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana. Norris was born on December 20, 1931 in Bryn Mawr, PA, son of Norris Evans Hansell and Ruth Cunningham Hansell. He married Margaret White Corry on July 30, 1955. She survives. Also surviving are their three children, Walter White Hansell of Piedmont, California, Ruth Esther Hansell of Virginia Beach, VA, and Gerald Andrew Hansell of Winnetka, IL. Norris was preceded in death by their fourth child, Charles Norris Hansell. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Abigail Jean Hansell, Elliot Marian White Hansell, Elizabeth Rebecca Wurm, Michael Andrew Wurm, Charles Campbell Hansell, Malcolm Alexander Hansell, and Robert MacKinnon Hansell. Also surviving are one brother, Robert Hansell and sister Jane Gartley Hansell Butera. Norris graduated from Haverford High School, Haverford College, the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Board Certified in neurology and psychiatry, he held several positions relating to his medical specialty. He was professor of psychiatry at Northwestern University, professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois, Zone Director Illinois department of mental health in Rockford and Chicago. He was also a consultant to the Peace Corps under President Jack Kennedy, and visiting lecturer at Harvard University school of public health. He was a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. In 1972, Norris moved to Champaign where he remained until his death. In Champaign, he served as head of Christie Clinic's department of psychiatry. Beyond his professional publications, he also wrote on the building of America; its constitutional freedoms; the helping professions; and the science and adventure of prairie agriculture. Norris loved antique machines. He enjoyed restoring both his 1936 Model A John Deere tractor and 1951 Dodge M-37 power wagon, which he drove in many community Fourth of July parades. His tractor and wagon rides were enjoyed by terminally ill children in Concord, Massachusetts and many neighborhood children in Champaign, as well as Boy Scout troops and family conscripts. His children aim especially to carry forward his kindness, boundless curiosity, disciplined optimism, embrace of challenges, and love. Norris would encourage people to accept and embrace the biological roots of mental illness and welcome its treatment with medical professionals for themselves and their loved ones. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society. Please join his family in sharing memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Visitation Apr 17, 2016 Sunday, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Service Apr 17, 2016 Sunday, 3:30 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Final Resting Place Woodlawn Cemetery - Urbana 1803 N. Coler Ave. Urbana, Illinois 61801