Glenn E. Merritt June 14, 1924 – January 13, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book Glenn Merritt, 94, a 63-year resident of Homewood, died peacefully at home on January 13, 2019. Arrangements were made by the Tews-Ryan Funeral Home, at his request, His body was donated to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. He was born on June 14, 1924 in St. Louis, MO.
He knew by his junior year in high school that he was going to be a chemical engineer. Upon high school graduation in 1941, he enrolled at the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (MSM), the major engineering school of the University of Missouri. His college career was interrupted at the end of his sophomore year for service in the Navy Air Corps.
With his release from active duty in 1946, he returned to MSM and graduated in 1948. He was employed by the Sinclair Refining Co. (acquired in 1972 by Atlantic Richfield) in Harvey, IL, where, for 37 years he had a very satisfying career in chemical engineering. He relished recruiting and mentoring young engineers, some of whom became life-long friends.
A lover and supporter of the arts (music, opera, theater, visual arts, and dance) for his entire life, in his retirement Glenn found a passion and talent for photography. He spent hours exploring and documenting the Southwest landscape, and into his 80s he loved skiing the mountains of the West. Music brought him a joy that sustained him through his final days.
Glenn’s strong sense of civic responsibility benefited the Homewood community. He served for 10 years on the Homewood Planning Commission. He was most proud of the work he did on the Homewood (District 153) Board of Education where he served for 17 years, the last 14 years as President.
He believed that education was the cornerstone of a successful democracy and that public education deserved all the respect and res it needed, and he worked to make that happen in Homewood. Married in 1945 to Justine Miller, they raised their five children in Homewood. Stephen, Regna, Gail, Ann (Coleman), and Susan (Pearson) were all H-F grads.
After their divorce in 1970, Glenn had three subsequent partners who brought him immense joy: Doris Unrath Merritt, Joanne Zimmerman, and Lucy Klein Merritt. He traveled the world with each of them, sharing a love of culture, food, and architecture wherever they went. Glenn was a stickler for precise thinking and had an enormous knowledge.
He would notoriously declare himself omniscient (and the dictionary wrong) in discussions on many subjects, to the intimidation and amusement of younger generations. These qualities certainly contributed to him being named (affectionately) a founding member of the local Curmudgeon Society. He is survived by his brother, Dwight Merritt of Cleveland, OH.
Glenn was loved and will be greatly missed by his five children and many grand- and great-grandchildren. Funeral Services private.
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