Cover photo for Glenn  Alan Saltzman's Obituary
Glenn  Alan Saltzman Profile Photo
1935 Glenn 2018

Glenn Alan Saltzman

September 10, 1935 — December 18, 2018

Dr. Glenn Alan Saltzman, 83, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Navy Captain, educator, and Kent community leader, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 at University Hospital in Cleveland.

Born Sept. 10, 1935 in Findlay, Ohio, he was the son of Frank and Lois (Stahl) Saltzman. He cherished fond memories of growing up on a farm east of Findlay. During his senior year in high school, he began dating Ruth Weaver, who lived on a nearby farm. She proved to be the love of his life; their marriage, which endured for more than 61 years, was, in Glenn's words, "the Number One highlight of my life."

He enrolled at The Ohio State University on a full NAVY ROTC scholarship in 1953. He earned four varsity letters playing soccer. He graduated with a degree in physical education in 1957.

Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign. Two days later he married Ruth in a military ceremony in Findlay. He was then ordered to flight school at NAS Pensacola. During his Navy years, they were stationed in Virginia, Florida and California. He served oversees in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Glenn was commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Unit in Akron and was Inspector General of the Midwest Command. During many summer Reserve assignments around the country, he taught new NROTC instructors education methods. He retired from the Naval Reserve after 32 years, with the rank of Captain, in 1985.

After completing active duty service, he taught high school math and coached football, basketball and baseball while completing his graduate degree. The family moved to Columbus, where he began work on his doctorate in Psychology at Ohio State while working for the State Department of Education. In 1966 the family moved to Kent and Glenn became assistant professor of Counseling and Personnel Services at Kent State University. In 1973, he was promoted to full professor and department chair. In 1976, after 11 years at KSU, he became charter Chairman of the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (now NEOMed). He later became Director of Basic Medical Sciences, a position he held until he retired in 1995. For many years he gave motivational and owner succession workshops for the National Grocers Association.

Glenn was active in the community. He served as president of the Rotary Club of Kent, the Portage County chapters of the American Cancer Society, and American Heart Association. Glenn and Ruth co-chaired the Portage County health levy campaign in 2006 and the Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation Gala in 2006 and 2007. He served as a lay leader and chair of the Administrative Board of the United Methodist Church of Kent in the 1970s and more recently as chair of the Kent United Church of Christ Diaconate.

He was an avid sportsman playing tennis, golf and hiking. Glenn was a licensed commercial pilot. He and Ruth traveled to all 50 states as well as Europe.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth; sons, Jeff (Sally) and Jay; daughter, Jill; grandchildren, Dan (Krystal) Saltzman, Andrew Saltzman, Connor Servantes, Glenn Austin (Kayla) Servantes; great-grandson, Nicholas Saltzman; and beloved dog, Harold Alan Saltzman. His son, Jon Ardyn Saltzman; parents, Lois and Frank Saltzman; and sisters, Ruth Peters and Alice Pemberton, died previously.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 10, 2019, at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2019 at Kent United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Amy Gopp officiating.

Memorials may be made to The Saltzman Foundation for Community Service at NEOMed 4209 OH-44 Rootstown Ohio 44272 �... Lindsey Loftes or Kent United Church of Christ, 1400 E. Main Street, Kent, OH 44240 or UH Portage Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 1204, Ravenna, OH 44266.

Visitation

JAN 10. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory
628 W Main Street
Kent

Visitation

JAN 10. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory
628 W Main Street
Kent

Memorial Service

JAN 11. 11:00 AM

Kent United Church of Christ
1400 E. Main Street
Kent, OH, 44240
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Glenn Alan Saltzman, please visit our flower store.

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