In Memory Of:
Robert E. Hansen
State Commander 1956—1957
National Commander-in-Chief 1961—1962
Bob passed away on July 25, 2015, at the age of 89.
Robert E. Hansen was a Life Member of South St. Paul Post 295 during his Service as State Commander. Bob served in the United States Navy during World War II. Bob’s accomplishments while in a Leadership Role at the State and National levels are still unequaled. Bob passed away on July 25, 2015, at the age of 89. He served his Country and Community with Honor. They don’t make Leaders like Bob anymore.
Robert E. Hansen, a native of South Saint Paul, Minnesota, was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States during the 62nd Annual Convention (1961) in Miami, Florida.
This was the first time in VFW history, a father (Chris B. Hansen, then a 42-year VFW member) had the honor of a nomination, the name of his son for the office of VFW Commander-in-Chief. The nomination was seconded by then U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and former Governor of Minnesota, Orville L. Freeman.
Robert Hansen became a member of the VFW in June, 1945 while still on active duty with the U.S. Navy. He is a member of VFW Post 295 in South Saint Paul, Minnesota, and has served as Post Commander, District Two Commander, and commanded the Department of Minnesota in 1956-57.
During his term of office, Hansen traveled extensively throughout the world and U.S. meeting with leaders of many nations, including President John F. Kennedy. He also traveled to Southeast Asia, as a Naval Reserve Officer on active duty, and obtained the latest information available on situations occurring in the pre-Vietnam era.
Under his leadership, the VFW became the sole sponsor of the Voice of Democracy Program after the American Broadcasting Association decided to drop the sponsorship of the program. Today, the Voice of Democracy Program is one of the most successful youth projects sponsored by the VFW, annually donating hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to youth.
In Memory Of:
John S. Staum
State Commander 1970—1971
National Commander-in-Chief 1985—1986
John passed away on September 23, 2018, at the age of 87.
John S. Staum, a native and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States during the 86th Annual Convention (1985) in Dallas, Texas.
For over two years, he was a pre-seminary student at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, but gave up his deferment and subsequently was drafted into the Marine Corps.
Staum served with the U.S. Marine Corps detachments aboard the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Bremerton and the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Princeton operating in Korean waters from April, 1952 to September 1953.
In 1957, he joined VFW Post 9625 in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and rose through various elective positions to become a two term Post Commander from 1961 to 1963. He was elected a District Commander in 1966-67 and commanded the Department of Minnesota in 1970-71 when he earned All American honors. For the next twelve years, Staum served variously on the National Voice of Democracy, Safety, National Security, and Community Activities Committees. In 1972 and 1977, he was chairman of the VFW National Convention Corporation.
Staum is former president of the Glenmar Company, a sub-contracting and building supply firm in Minneapolis. He is also a member of the American Legion and Marine Corps League.
Married to the former Bernadette T. Clarkin of Montgomery, Minnesota, the Staums’ have two children, Mark, a Marine Corp veterans and Nancy, both married.
