Photo courtesy of Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions - Hampton
Hampton, Virginia
Yorktown, VA
Glen William Sachse slipped away on January 20, 2021. His wife and close friend were by his side, and his children were with him and each other virtually, to love him and shower him with love, prayers, kisses and songs.
Glen enjoyed a 50 year career at NASA Langley. In 1975 he began his pioneering work to measure the actual concentrations of natural and emitted gases in the atmosphere, that dispelled many suppositions and replaced them with concrete facts. He was a very respected scientist who won many awards and published many technical articles. It was his privilege to use his instruments to measure gasses inside the cases of the Charters of Freedom.
Glen had received an undergraduate degree in Physics from VA Tech and a graduate degree from William and Mary. He loved VA Tech and as an only child, he built friendships that helped sustain him through his life. With his career and his wife Frances, he traveled to many parts of the world. As he traveled, he was reminded of the close bond with his father, Glen V. Sachse, over a shared love of Ham Radios.
Glen will be cherished and missed by his wife of 43 years, Frances Sulkevich Sachse, his daughters, Mary Sachse Ferreira (Nick) and Sarah Sachse Pasqua (Jeff); Son, Mark Sachse (Giselle) and his grandchildren, Adair (8), Luca (5), Teddy (5), and Ali (2), who loved playing with funny Grandpa. His whistling warmed our lives.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Friday, February 5, 2021, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 100 Harpersville Rd., in Newport News. Preceding the mass, beginning at 10:15, some remembrances, in lieu of a gathering, will be in the large common area inside the church. Interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park. To view the Funeral Mass live online, please CLICK HERE by 10:55 am Friday.
The family wishes any memorial contributions to be made to the Food Pantry at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Alzheimer’s Association-click here, or other nature centered charities.
Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions in Hampton, 757-825-8070.
Read MoreA man of humility, family first, service to all. An eminent historian that taught me to cherish our nation's greatness.
We miss him,
Bill Ferreira
February 08, 2025 | Long Grove, IL | Acquaintance
Glen was a man of impeccable integrity. His demeanor, example and dedication to family values will always be remembered and cherished.
Bill Ferreira
February 08, 2023 | Friend
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Laura Templeton
April 17, 2021 | Friend
The most knowledgeable and humble human being I have met.
A good man to all. May his soul R.I.P.
Bill Ferreira
March 30, 2021 | Long Grove, IL | Family
My father, Jim Crawford, and Glen were coworkers at NASA. I never expected to find Glen and Frances at nearly every show I would perform in my college years! (I am an actor, by the way).
I am forever moved by the simple and yet profound support I was given by Glen. He’s the kind of person you make art for. You know it will be appreciated with him in the audience.
The picture above was taken after a performance of “American Idiot” the Green Day Musical at Firehouse...
Denver Crawford
February 09, 2021 | New York, NY | Acquaintance
I first met Glen during NASA aircraft campaign in 1990 and saw him more often when I came to NASA Langley in 2000. He always had a smile and usually a funny story to brighten the day. On top of that, he did great science. I feel fortunate to have had a chance to get to know him. He made the world a better place.
Dave Johnson
February 05, 2021 | Coworker
I knew Glen for at least 35 years. I first met Glen at an Air Quality meeting in Philadelphia. He was always a very warm person, a pleasure to talk to, as well as technically excellent. In more recent times Glen always said to me "We are long-time friends, not OLD friends". Fare well, my long-time friend.
Fred Perry
February 05, 2021 | Friend
I can't think of a better way to spend my time than traveling the world with Glen Sachse. He was a great scientist, a great friend, and a great human being. Thanks, Glen. You made me think harder, laugh more, and appreciate the balance of work and life. You and Frances made it to Richmond to see every one of Denver's shows, and he's MY kid. So many positive memories...
Jim (and Traci) Crawford
February 05, 2021 | Coworker
So many fond memories of Glen. Here he is on the NASA DC-8 in Hong Kong giving to tour to a professor and graduate students from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
I first met Glen when I was a graduate student in 1990, working on the NASA Electra. I was a bit intimidated being around all these famous NASA scientists, and then Glen's friendly smile immediate made me feel like a welcome member of the team. I was lucky to get to spend so much time hanging out with Glen during field campaigns and science team meetings over the next 30 years. During that time I enjoyed learning about how to make better atmospheric measurements and seeing him welcome new...
Barry Lefer
February 05, 2021 | Washington, DC | Coworker
