(AP) — Alan G. Hassenfeld, a renowned philanthropist and former CEO of iconic toy company Hasbro Inc., the maker of G.I. Joe and Play-Doh, has died. He was 76, according to the toy company.
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Hasbro, the nation’s second largest toy company behind Mattel, declined to offer more details. Hassenfeld’s family foundation, Hassenfeld Family Initiatives, wasn’t immediately available to comment.
Hassenfeld was born in Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. He received an undergraduate arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970. Upon graduation, he joined the Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based family business in 1970. Hasbro was founded in 1923, by Hassenfeld’s grandfather, Henry. Known initially as Hassenfeld Brothers, it sold textile remnants but expanded into school supplies and later toy manufacturing under the Hasbro name in the 1940s, according to Hasbro’s website. It went public in 1968.
Hassenfeld rose quickly in the family business serving as special assistant to the president and worked his way up the rank s. He became one of the key architects of Hasbro’s international operations and spent extensive time traveling overseas. He was named executive vice president in 1980 and became president in September 1984.
Hassenfeld labored for years in the shadow of his older brother Stephen. His brother’s death of pneumonia in June 1989 at age 47, however, moved Hassenfeld into the position of chairman and chief executive officer.
Hassenfeld stepped down as CEO in 2003 and in August 2005, he retired from his chairman position and became emeritus chairman. He stepped away from that role last year. Hassenfeld was the last family member to sit on the board, according to Hasbro.
“All of us who have ever had any connection to Hasbro today are mourning the profound loss of Alan Hassenfeld, our beloved former Chairman & CEO, mentor, and dear friend, ” Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks in an e-mailed statement to The Associated Press. “Alan’s enormous heart was, and will remain, the guiding force behind Hasbro — compassionate, imaginative, and dedicated to bringing a smile to the face of every child around the world. His tireless advocacy for philanthropy, children’s welfare, and the toy industry created a legacy that will inspire us always.”
Hassenfeld was involved in many charitable and social causes both nationally and locally in Rhode Island. His concerns ranged from childhood hunger to issues involving refugee settlement in the state. As chairman of the Hassenfeld Family Initiatives, he oversaw the foundation’s mission of globalizing safety and human rights within the area of children’s products; empowering women in developing countries; and enhancing the economy, education and business opportunities in Rhode Island.
Hassenfeld was also founding benefactor of Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, and his family’s contributions helped to establish the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute at Brown University.
They gave the Hassenfeld Hospital for Children at NYU Langone. They serve the frum community with pride and dignity. His Neshama should rest on high. Yeah Zichro Boruch
Loved my GI Joes
This was a good man taken to soon. My condolences go out to his beloved family. May he rest in peace in heaven. He was a loving compassionate and generous man helping others. This was a man with a gentle soul who loved others. Very talented in his endeavors. He will be a loss to his community his family and to children around the world, brought many smiles to young children as well as adults. He really made a difference in many families lives. I have little but I share with others God continues to bless me. So to the family your love one is gone in the flesh but his soul lives on. His memories live on in your heart and mind. This is something that can never be taken away. He was a good man. Family I will keep you in my prayers.
Since we are lucky not to be a Tenek Shenishba we are obligated to be Mlamed zchus-to look for the positive in another Jew.The Bais Hamikdash was destroyed because of baseless hate.Who knows what zchusim he had .
R’Yisocher Frand asks on the posuk Dun ES kol haodom lkav zchus-why doesnt it just say it without the word ES-to tell us to judge the whole person favorably-and no one really the good in another person.May his Neshama have an Aliyah.
The name Hasenfeld is not so popular. I’m curious if he has family in Brooklyn; namely Reb Hertzy Hasenfeld and his brother Ephraim. Their father A” H was Reb Alexander a”h also a huge philanthropist – albeitnonly to real great Tzedaka causes. His philanthropy likely put Kerestirer Matzos into the thriving business it is. He gave, and his family continues to give away, thousands of pounds of Matzos at very discounted rates. He originally hailed from Kerestirer and help found the very first Reb Shaya’le’s kitchen. He also built – I’m quite certain – the Ohel over Reb Shaya’le’s kever. Curious if they were related.
Not one Jewish or Torah cause mentioned in this article regarding his philanthropy. Did he donate to such causes? If not, why and how when running 20-30 stories a day, does his death make the cut? Oh yeah, bc it’s ok to indirectly say we chase money even though this conflicts values of Judaism. But Gd forbid if a reader expresses an opinion and that opinion differs from that of komieditors who view THAT opinion as conflicting values of Judaism (when often it doesn’t when reviewed by many in an unbiased field) it is struck from the record. Do as I say but not as I do, classic case.