This was the first time in VFW history, a father (Chris B. Hansen, then a 42-year VFW member) had the honor to place in 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.
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.