Hank, 39, died July 28, 1971, near Columbia Falls, Montana, in an auto accident on U.S. Hwy #2. He was born December 18, 1931, in Missoula, Montana, to German immigrant parents. He graduated from Missoula County H.S. in 1950 where he was a standout track and field athlete. Hank was in the USAF during Korean War.

He went to the University of Montana on a track scholarship and graduated in 1971 with degrees in Political Science and Philosophy. Hank Married Elaine Page in 1958 and they had two children, Cy and Jamie. He jumped at Missoula 1957-58.