Final Salute

Capt. Glenn Smith, USN, Ret., 70, died unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep at the family cottage at Oteyokwa Lake in Pennsylvania. Glenn was born to Marcus and Martha Smith on February 1, 1950 in Morristown, NJ. He graduated as Valedictorian of Ilion High School, and went on to earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from RPI in 1973. He joined the Navy Civil Engineer Corps as an Ensign in 1973 and retired as a Captain, after 24 years, in 1997. During that time, he earned several medals, was the Executive Officer (XO) of NMCB 40, and earned a Master’s of National Strategy from the National War College in 1995. Glenn then became the Director of Facilities at Bryn Mawr College for 19 years, retiring in 2018.
He was an active member of APPA (an organization supporting Leadership in Educational Facilities).

In the Navy, Glenn was a pioneer in Total Quality Leadership, and continued his role as Leadership trainer in APPA for the next 20 years. Throughout his years in the Navy, at Bryn Mawr, and as a part of APPA, he was known as a true leader who was kind and generous, often described as “an officer and a gentleman.” He was a lifelong student of leadership skills, mentoring men and women in every job assignment. He demonstrated his leadership skills as president of the local and international APPA organizations.

Glenn was a man of wide-ranging interests. His love of track and field grew from his time as a high hurdler in high school and college. He followed the sport closely throughout his life. For each transfer for Navy assignments, Glenn planned the cross country moves, arranging for his family to see as many aspects of America as he could fit into the trip. This love of travel continued throughout his life. A card-carrying Roller Coaster Enthusiast, he and his family rode roller coasters from coast to coast. A member of the Music Box Society, he and his wife Sue have a small collection of antique music makers. Their favorite, a player piano, will continue to provide hours of fun and entertainment for family and friends alike. For many years he played the baritone horn in the Marple Newtown Community Band. Aside from his faith and family, his biggest passion was cycling. He was a member of the Media Cycling Club and was a strong, competitive rider admired by all. Glenn enjoyed working with wood, making, amongst other things, a beautiful cherry dining table, and his final project with Sue, a wooden kayak named “Grace.” He was a faithful member of Springton Lake Presbyterian Church.

Most important to Glenn was his family. He was a deeply loving and playful husband, father, and grandfather. He cherished his parents, Marcus (97) and Martha (98) Smith, who survive him, as does his mother-in-law Ann Patterson (96). His wife of 48 years, Susan Patterson Smith, and his four children, Michael (Justine) Smith, Kathryn (Justin) Meeks, Tina (Jason) Horn, and Peter (Niff) Smith, will dearly miss him. His eight grandchildren – Noah, Riley and Madeline Horn; Elsa, Liliana, Larsen, and Juniper Meeks; and Alden Smith – will miss his laughter and love. He is also survived by his three sisters, Marcia (Doug) McCoy, Gail Krueger, and Maureen (Craig) Cashman and many nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial will be held September 12 at Springton Lake Presbyterian Church, led by Pastor Rick Marshall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Springton Lake Presbyterian Church (Mortgage paydown: 3090 South Newtown Square Street Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073) or the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association (SMSA, P.O. Box 667, Gulfport, MS 39502)

Arrangements by the Frank C. Videon Funeral Home, Sproul and Lawrence Roads, Broomall, PA 19008

Frank C. Videon Funeral Home
frankvideonfuneralhome@verizon.net
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