The son of Swedish immigrants, Randolph Hokanson was an American pianist who was born in the state of Washington June 22, 1915, and began playing at an early age.
Prior to World War II, Hokanson studied in England with Harold Samuel, Myra Hess and Howard Ferguson. He trained and served with the Armored Force at Fort Knox, where he also entertained around post and in Service Clubs. Louisville audiences benefited from his close proximity, and he made an appearance with the Louisville Philharmonic Orchestra during the 1942-1943 season.
Hokanson later served in France as an interpreter with the Signal Corps.
After the war, he began a long tenure with the faculty in the School of Music at the University of Washington, Seattle. He is noted for his performances and recordings of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, among others. He released a memoir in his 90s titled With Head to the Music Bent: A Musician's Story. In celebration of his 100th birthday in 2015, Hokanson collaborated with violinist Marjorie Kransberg-Talvi in a solo and duo recital at his retirement home in Seattle.
Hokanson died Oct. 18 at the age of 103.
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