TnP’s founder and ever sprightly Malcolm Naish has submitted a brief obituary and related comments for Alan Hassenfeld, former CEO of Hasbro.
Malcolm said: “Everyone loved Alan, he was a kind, gentle and inspirational gentleman. He loved visiting London and he joined our Survivors Club very early on and attended several lunches, the last one being in November 2024.”
Hasbro was founded in 1923, by Alan’s grandfather. 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.
Alan was born in 1948 and after attending the University of Pennsylvania returned to join the company in 1970. He began in sales and marketing positions and was named president in 1984. Following the death of his brother Stephen, he became chairman and CEO in 1989, a role he remained in until 2003. On his tenure, he guided the company through growth and acquisitions, including Tonka in 1991, which had acquired Kenner four years earlier. The 1998 acquisition of Tiger Electronics announced on the first day of Toy Fair that year made headlines throughout the international toy business. A year later, Hassenfeld oversaw the acquisition of Wizards of the Coast.
“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”
After stepping down as chairman in 2005, Alan stayed with the company in an advisory, unpaid chairman role until 2008.
Current Hasbro CEO, Chris Cocks, said: “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. 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.”
Alan will be remembered not merely for all the toys history he made during his career, but for the company’s exceptional charitable work, and the establishment of Brown University’s Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute. He was also very active in the work of the International Council of Toy Industries.
Alan Hassenfeld’s role in the toy industry will be remembered for his huge heart, and his dedication to children. He will surely be missed.
