Glenn A. Stuart

Glenn Allen Stuart was a kind, sweet, gentle and good man. He was a loving and devoted husband, first to Isabel for 48 years, and then to Barbara for the past 19 years. He was an active engaged father to Glenn, Duncan and Ruth, providing them with wonderful childhoods filled with fond family memories, highlighted by numerous camping trips. Glenn cherished his grandchildren and they cherished him right back. Even though he was "older than dirt," the grandchildren asserted that he was the cutest old man in the history of the world. He reveled in supplying family gatherings with his mean pots of beans, delicious plates of shortbread, yummy bowls of applesauce and tasty jars of raspberry jam - which were appreciated by all. The annual and relentless distribution of the dense fruitcake, however, not so much. Glenn consistently showed up, was present and did the right thing in all that mattered. He set a great example of how to live a full life and had a natural gift of making those around him feel good.

Glenn, 91, of Midland, passed away peacefully Tuesday May 9, 2017 at MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland. The son of the late Orlo and Elizabeth (Clewett) Stuart, he was born in Detroit, Feb. 3, 1926. He graduated from Detroit Western High School in 1944 and went on to serve in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946, and was stationed in the Philippines. His favorite Navy story involved the time he rushed into the ship command center and declared, "Stand by to be rammed."

After the war, Glenn received his bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the University of Detroit and his master of science in chemical engineering from Wayne State University. On June 5, 1948 Glenn married the former Isabel Shand. They moved to Midland in 1957 when he accepted an engineering role with The Dow Chemical Co. After more than 30 years of service he retired from Dow in 1989. Glenn was a registered professional engineer with the State of Michigan, a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, a former member of the Noon Kiwanis Club and a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. He was a long-time active member of Memorial Presbyterian Church, serving in various leadership roles over the years.

After Isabel died in 1996, Glenn was blessed to marry the former Barbara Jones Hodges in 1997. They enjoyed a wonderful bonus round together full of laughter and joy.

Surviving is his wife of 19 years, Barbara; sons, Glenn Stuart Jr. of Rockford, Duncan (Kathryn) Stuart of Midland; daughter, Ruth (Jeff) Burroughs of El Sobrante, Calif.; step-son, Matthew (Jennie) Hodges of Kentwood; step-daughter, Katie (Joe) Tonnos of Okemos; grandchildren, Meg (Aaron), Andy (Rae), Allen (Courtney), Mark (Heather), Elizabeth, Hannah, Sadie, Ryan, Gavin, Kyle, Mia, Jane, and Faith; and great-grandchildren, Isabel, Alden and Rebecca. In addition to his parents and first wife, Isabel, Glenn was preceded in death by brothers, Willard, Douglas and Charles Stuart; sister, Helen Truvally; daughter-in-law, Leslie Stuart; and step-daughter, Beth Ann Hodges.

A memorial service celebrating Glenn's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Memorial Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Wallace H. Mayton III officiating. The family suggests memorials in honor of Glenn be directed to the Memorial Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are under the care of Wilson MILLER Funeral Home.