The Hal & Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation

The Hall & Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization. The Foundation was established in 1992 to receive and administer funds for these charitable and educational purposes: 

• To encourage firearms shooting skills competition.
• To promote the lawful use and possession of firearms.
• To help fund game bird and animal research studies by schools of natural resources.
• To support research of animal diseases affecting dogs and cats.
• To provide for the welfare of animals through the American Humane Society or other organizations that are not anti-hunting.

The Foundation provides financial assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, match funds and other support to 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organizations whose mission statements are supportive of these objectives.

FIREARMS SHOOTING SKILLS COMPETITION

Harold W. (Hal) Glassen was a lifelong hunter, competitive shooter and gun collector.  Introduced to the outdoors at the age of six by his father, young Glassen developed an early respect and love for firearms.  As a University of Wisconsin student, he was a member of the pistol team. Later in life he served on the board of directors for the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Defense Department’s National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice.

A staunch advocate of hunter safety training, he is memorialized by the Hal Glassen Award, presented annually by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs to the affiliate chapter that makes the greatest achievements in hunter education.

LAWFUL USE AND POSSESSION OF FIREARMS

Hal Glassen was admitted to the bar in Michigan in 1930.  He practiced before state courts in Michigan and Wisconsin and in federal courts. A special tribute from Michigan Governor John Engler noted Glassen’s “sincere respect and appreciation for law.”

Glassen served as president of the National Rifle Association in 1967-69 and was one of only 13 people at the time (President Reagan was the 14^th) to be chosen an honorary life member of the 120-year-old organization. A fierce defender of Second Amendment rights, Glassen was an eloquent spokesman for the NRA.

GAME BIRD AND ANIMAL RESEARCH STUDIES

Hal and Jean Glassen were avid hunters who believed in the scientific management of wildlife. Lifelong conservationists, they supported research and programs aimed at habitat improvement, sustainable harvest through controlled hunting, and understanding the carrying capacity of land for wildlife.

Graduates of the University of Wisconsin, the Glassens were especially supportive of natural resources schools at the University of Wisconsin, University of Michigan and Michigan State University.

RESEARCH OF ANIMAL DISEASES AFFECTING DOGS AND CATS

With the purchase of their first hunting dog in 1939, the Glassens became dog lovers and fanciers. Educated as a biologist, Jean was a pioneer breeder in the U.S. of English cocker spaniels, producing more than 50 champions under her kennel name, Maple Lawn. A six-time president of the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America, she was keenly interested in diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, which is a problem with English cockers and other breeds.

Jean helped found the Heart of Michigan English Cocker Spaniel Club. The Glassens were also fond of English setters. Hal was past president and a life member of the Ingham County (Michigan) Kennel Club.

PROVIDE FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS

The Glassens loved horses, dogs and other animals and were interested in their welfare. Had the University of Wisconsin taught veterinary medicine at the time Jean attended, she would, without doubt, have become a veterinarian.

Supporters of the American Humane Society, the Glassens were opposed to anti-hunting organizations such as the United States Humane Society.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To date, the Glassen Foundation has contributed to these and other organizations: 

• Capital Area Humane Society to teach elementary school children proper care of pets, including the benefits of spaying and neutering. 
• The Boy Scouts of American for wildlife habitat projects.
• Michigan State University Diversity of Animal Life public exhibit.
• Academics for the Second Amendment scholarships.
• Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference held in Detroit.
• NRA Eddie Eagle Gun Safety program for elementary schools.
• Wildlife Forever hunting symposium proceedings.
• MSU College of Veterinarian Medicine canine research.
• Wildlife Legislative Fund of America’s “Protect What’s Right” program.
• University of Minnesota Gullion Chair endowment for forest wildlife research.

Qualified 501 (c) (3) organizations are encouraged to contact:

The Hal & Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation
6810 Nashway Drive E.
West Bloomfield MI  48322

Hal Glassen was born May 15, 1906 in Montford, Wisconsin. A WW II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel. Glassen practiced law in Lansing, Michigan for 62 years as a partner in the Lansing law firm of Glassen, Rhead, McLean, Campbell & Schumacher. He died August 26, 1992.

Jean Glassen was born on December 25, 1908 in Columbus, Wisconsin. The first woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Agricultural School, she earned a degree in bacteriology in 1929. She retired as a biologist with the Michigan Department of Public Health. Jean Glassen died on February 11, 1991.

Married for nearly 60 years, Hal and Jean established the Glassen Foundation before their deaths to continue the ambitions and goals to which they dedicated their lives.