Legendary for their generosity, Galen and Ada Belle Spencer touched the lives of Colorado residents through their personal and financial support of sports and music programs. Today, their legacy—the Galen and Ada Belle Spencer Foundation—helps sustain the activities that brought them so much joy during their lifetimes.

The foundation annually disburses grants to opera companies, orchestras, higher education vocal music programs, entities that support young people’s musical efforts and training, and numerous Denver-area community groups.

Born in the same year, 1905, Galen and Ada Belle grew up in Kansas within 30 miles of each other. Although their paths crossed during childhood and young adulthood, their lives followed different routes for some 40 years. While Galen worked in the family firm, Ada Belle schooled in opera and, as a vocalist, toured the country.

The story of what eventually brought them together is a mystery. What is known is that when the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera invited Ada Belle to join the company, she declined. Instead, she chose to marry Galen.

When the couple moved to the Denver area in 1951, they set out on a new course. Galen left his family’s Kansas companies, and Ada Belle exited the stage. Nonetheless, they continued to pursue their respective passions—sports and music.

Ada Belle focused on assisting young vocalists advance their training. Among her musical activities, she judged auditions for the Metropolitan Opera Association National Council Rocky Mountain District. In 1982, she incorporated the Galen and Ada Belle Spencer Foundation.

For two decades, Galen sponsored athletic teams in Englewood, Colorado. His softball teams often advanced to national and international tournaments. In honor of his kindhearted involvement and donations, the City Council of Englewood named Centennial Park’s softball complex Spencer Field, and the Colorado Amateur Softball Association inducted him posthumously in 1994 into its Hall of Fame.