Hansen, Col. Clifford H. MacLean

Obit Index
Updated: 07 Apr 2013

Clifford Hansen

NewsOK.com
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Otober 6, 2007

The estate of the late Clifford Hansen of Oklahoma City has now bequeathed more than 1,200 tiny military replicas and accessories to the foundation. The collection is valued at $40,000 to $45,000, foundation officials said.Hansen's estate also gave a cash donation of $260,000.

OMRF [Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation ] officials plan to retain an antiquities specialist — most likely an expert on lead-soldier figurines — to auction off the toy-soldier collection, Lang said.

The lead soldiers were made between 1949 and 1953. They include soldiers, equipment, weapons, marching bands and various other pieces representing the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I and World War II.The soldiers represent the United States, Italy, Scotland, Venezuela and Egypt, among others.

Hansen died in 2006 at age 88. His will stipulated that his entire estate go to the OMRF.
A native of Elgin in southwestern Oklahoma, Hansen earned a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University and joined the Army after the start of World War II.

With the 85th Infantry Division, he earned a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for bravery on Italian battlefields. He attained the rank of colonel.

After the war, he lived in Oklahoma City and began a career as a graphic artist.He was noted for creating graphics for the city's edition of the Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages.

Hansen's passions extended beyond his toy-soldier collection.

Daily Oklahoman, The
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
July 18, 2006

Col. Clifford H. MacLean Hansen, 88 years of age, passed away on Saturday, July 15. Born in Elgin, Cliff and his family moved to Oklahoma City, where he graduated from Classen High School in 1936. After earning a Bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University, he served his country by enlisting in the United States Army. During the next few years, he saw active combat in Italy as a member of the 85th Infantry Division. For his bravery, he was awarded numerous medals, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. Cliff attained the rank of colonel and continued to participate in the Army Reserves for many years after the war. Cliff met his lifelong love, Mattie B. Ford, after he returned from Europe. The two were married in 1949. Mattie assisted him with his advertising art studio, which supplied the Oklahoma City Yellow Pages with graphics for many years. Not only a talented and industrious artist, he was successful enough as a real estate agent to become a member of the Century 21 Million Dollar Club. Europe always remained a special place for Cliff. He introduced fellow travelers to its history and culture through the many tours he led. An enthusiastic falconer, Cliff once owned a magnificent hawk that lived in its own house in his backyard. He was an active member of several local organizations, including the Metro Camera Club and the Classen Alumni Association.

Cliff's great gift to our city is The Highlanders, the pipe and drum band that he first formed in 1957. At that time there were no other bagpipe groups in this part of the country, the closest being in Chicago. For half a century, this beloved ensemble has lent solemnity to countless public and private events in Oklahoma City, including parades, fairs, commencements, and memorial services. Cliff piped with the group for that entire time, from the moment he founded it until a few short months ago. Cliff, ever gregarious, remained vigorous to the last day of his life. In recent years, he had learned how to play the keyboard, took dancing lessons, and taught a Bible Class at Grace Rescue Mission. Among many charitable causes, the St. Francis Indian Mission among the Lakota in St. Francis, South Dakota was of particular interest to him. A committed Christian, he was a member of Trinity International Baptist Church.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Theodore Hansen and Hattie B. MacLean; his wife, Mattie; his brother, Dale Hansen; and his cousin, John Hansen.

He is survived by his wife's nieces and their husbands: Jean Ford Price of Sulphur; Jim and Maribeth Ford Pate of Dallas, TX; Judi Ford Barber of Grove; Art and Judy Ford Schweitzer of Ramona, CA; and Paul and Jane Ford Austin of Oklahoma City; and his cousin John's wife, Donna Joplin Hansen. Donations may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Services for Cliff will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 19, 2006, at Hahn-Cook Street & Draper Chapel.

Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Sources: good faith fair use of sources stated above

Contributed by Marti Graham, October 2007. Information posted for educational purposes for viewers and researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.

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