Glenn J. Gregory

1950 - 2020

September 19, 1950 - December 15, 2020

Glenn Gregory passed away peacefully on December 15, 2020 in Bakersfield, California with his family close by, succumbing to complications due to COVID-19. He is survived by his loving and steadfast wife, Corinne Gregory; his two sons, David (Theresa) Hatcher and Christopher Hatcher; and his three nieces, Jayna (Nathan) Gregory, Taryn (Gregory) Gregory, and Kendra Gregory.

Glenn was born on September 19, 1950 in Los Angeles, California. His father George Gregory (deceased 2005) and mother Geraldine "Gerry" Gregory (deceased 2019), both of Russian-Jewish descent, eventually settled in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Encino, where they raised Glenn along with his two younger brothers Gordon Gregory and Alex Gregory (both deceased).

Glenn attended Birmingham High School and had early aspirations of becoming an electrical engineer before realizing math was not his strongest suit – he quickly shifted his interests to geology. He went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Geology from UC Santa Barbara, and a master's degree in Geology from CSU Los Angeles. He began his professional career with Chanslor-Western Oil & Development before an 18-year tenure with the Santa Fe Energy Company. Glenn continued his successful career in the private sector as an Independent Petroleum Geologist for 25 years until his passing. He was a published author and a licensed CA Professional Geologist since 1981.

In 1986, while living in Orange County, Glenn met the love of his life, Corinne, whom he affectionately called "Kuckla" (Russian for "baby doll"). Corinne, in turn, lovingly called Glenn "Huggy Bear." They married two years later, after an adventurous courtship, and Glenn became a supportive and caring father to Corinne's two sons, David and Christopher. Family was the bedrock of Glenn's life and he took on the role of husband and father with unwavering dedication. In 1992, the family moved to Bakersfield, California, where Glenn lived for the remainder of his life.

Glenn was a larger-than-life figure in his local hiking community, serving as a hiking leader for the Kern River Valley Hiking Club and Southern Sierra Hiking Club. His friends and fellow hikers often describe him as a gentle giant whose heart was bigger than his stature. Hiking was Glenn's passion and he was always planning his next adventure; his expeditions would take him across the US and Canada. He loved being in nature, stopping to admire wildflowers, and waxing poetic about the geology he observed on each trail. He was not the fastest hiker – it was never a race with Glenn – he was a proud member of what he spiritedly called the Sloth Hiking Team. One would often find Glenn trailing in the back of the group, wearing his trademark Tilley hat, encouraging everyone to keep going, making sure no one was ever left behind.

Glenn will be remembered for his playful spirit, his genuine good nature, his leadership, his generosity, his endless storytelling, and his endearing sense of humor. He will be missed profoundly. A celebration of Glenn's life and a memorial hike will be held at future dates.