Eight Bells for Ray Glenn

By Robert Hamilton, Chesapeake Bay Chapter

The ACBS and specifically, the Chesapeake Bay Chapter, lost a beloved, longtime member this spring.  Raymond (Ray) Rees Glenn, age 80, died from pancreatic cancer on May 14, 2023, at his home in Harwood, MD.  Ray was one of those members every chapter needs and is lucky to have.  Ray was the Chapter Treasurer for many years, but his greatest contributions were his easy going demeanor, his sharp wit and his welcoming approach to new members.  Ray ALWAYS had time to answer questions, drop whatever he was doing to give a boat ride or just talk on the phone.  Ray was often on the St. Johns River southbound cruise.  He took different boats, but he was always ready for the adventure and his boats were always full of passengers.  Ray most recently took the cruise prior to the International show in Burlington this past year with his new (to him) Shepherd.  Ray purchased the Shepherd from the estate of his good friend Chris Johnson and had recently put a new bottom on it and was excited to take the cruise in Canada.  Not much fazed Ray – on the trip up somewhere on the highway in Canada the rudder fell off.  Only someone like Ray would be able to take it in stride and find a replacement rudder over the weekend in Canada so he could participate in the cruise!  Ray was a key reason why the Chesapeake Bay show in St. Michaels has been so successful and our Chapter will not be the same without him.  More about Ray’s life and his many accomplishments appear below in his obituary.

Pictured: Ray and Della Glenn in their 1958 Century Coronado on the Chesapeake Bay in 2015.

Ray was born on June 5, 1942 in New Castle, PA to Harold and Helen Glenn. He was the middle child. Ray spent his formative years in the Walmo section of Neshannock Township and he remained life-long friends with the neighborhood children. Life centered around his father’s Ford dealership and his favorite activity was pestering the mechanics and tinkering on engines.

In 1960, Ray graduated from Neshannock High school as the first Class President of the new school. He enlisted in the Army and served three years in the Signal Corps. After communication school, he was assigned to Fort Sam near Houston, TX and then overseas in Tsoying, Taiwan. He had many fond memories of his time in Taiwan. After the service, he tried college, but then worked for Northern Ohio Telephone Company. He then attended Tri-State College (now Trine University) in Angola, IN, majoring in Electrical Engineering. He graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1968. He received a doctoral fellowship at Clemson University where he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1973. Ray met his wife of 48 years, Della Louise Hutto while in South Carolina and they married on July 5, 1970.

Ray was at the forefront of the computer industry and began his 30-year career with the Harris Corporation in Melbourne, FL. Their two sons, Harold David and Philip Raymond, were born during their 11 years in Florida. Still with Harris, the family relocated to Round Rock, TX for three years where he worked as a researcher. After Harris, Ray joined the Super Computer Research Center (now the Center for Computer Sciences) in Bowie, MD. The family moved to Harwood, MD in 1987. Ray holds three patents in the fields of computer and network architecture. He retired in 2004.

Ray and Diane Morinigo in his 1956 Shepherd on the Miles River in 2022.

A man of many passions and hobbies, retirement was very busy. Throughout his life, Ray loved training and caring for his many bird dogs. He ran the Tree-Rivers field trials in the 1990s. He and his sons enjoyed annual quail and pheasant hunts in South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Kansas, and the Eastern Shore. As a dedicated member of the Chesapeake Bay Antique and Classic Boat Society, Ray has restored numerous antique wood boats, helped plan the annual boat show in St. Michaels, and cruised many rivers up and down the East Coast. His most recent project was the restoration of a 1955 Thunderbird and a cross-country RV trip. A believer in community involvement and volunteerism, Ray mentored youth, taught hunter safety, provided assistance to the elderly, and held various leadership positions with the Ruritan Club, Boy Scouts, and Three Rivers Sportsman Club. He was also a member of the Galesville United Methodist Church.

Always focused on family, Ray was an involved and loving father and grandfather. While his sons were growing up, Ray spent his time teaching them to train dogs and ride horses, coaching their soccer teams, and leading their Boy Scout Troop 853. Known as Papa to his grandchildren, Ray especially loved attending their sports games, supervising chores, making root beer floats, teaching them to water-ski, and annual vacations to Lake Anna, VA.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife Della, who died of breast cancer in 2018, and older sister, Sue Waddle (husband Duck). He is survived by his two sons: Hal (wife Abby) and Phil (wife Kathy); five grandchildren: Brody, Riley, RJ, Will and Sean; companion, Diane Morinigo; and younger brother, John (wife Margaret). Ray will be remembered for his sense of humor, storytelling, and dedication to his family. To use his own words: “I spent most of my fortune on bird dogs and old boats…the rest I just wasted”

A memorial service was held on Thursday, June 15 at 10:00am, at Galesville United Methodist Church, 4825 Church Lane, Galesville, MD 20765. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Galesville United Methodist Church for the Della Glenn Scholarship Fund.