ROBERT GLIM

Professor Robert J. Glim, the last of the original Fresno State Agriculture Department members known as the "Twelve Disciples" of Dean Gene Egan, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the age of 101 years and 354 days, surrounded by members of his family. Professor Glim taught thousands of students in a wide variety of subjects at the California State University, Fresno Ag School, from animal husbandry to ag economics, starting with the founding of the school in 1948, at Hammer Field, to his retirement in 1979, as assistant dean. Among his achievements was inspiring a 29.4 million dollar donation to the school, from his friends, Bud, Dee, and Lowell Jordan, the largest donation to any California State University in 2009. Other accomplishments included a three year tour teaching modern agricultural practices for the USAID in Sudan, and sharing the FSU Ag approach in Europe, Mexico, and throughout the Central Valley. He was also the advisor for Fresno State's Rodeo team, a judge at the various livestock competitions at the Big Fresno Fair, a judge at the West Coast Relays , an Ag One Foundation advisor, and endowed scholarship contributor. Busy in his off-campus life, Glim served as an elder at Calvary Presbyterian Church, a member of the board of directors at the Educational Employees Credit Union, and chairman of the Scandinavian School District Trustees. In retirement, Bob Glim was active in the 49er RV Club, which is where he and his wife Dorothy met the Jordans. It was at a Glim "campfire presentation" on the activities and products of the Fresno State Ag program that led the Jordans to establish a scholarship fund for the school followed by the gift that has led to the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology buildings and programs at Fresno State. He was equally active in his family life. He and his first wife, Imogene Thistle, who died in 1966, had five children, four girls and a son. He and Dorothy Schwartz, his second wife, celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in March of this year. Bob, born on November 22, 1915, in Pittsburg, PA, was the only son of Reverend Olof Nelson Glim, and Ingeborg Hedberg, both of whom were born in Sweden. The family moved to Kerman, CA, where Rev. Glim owned a vineyard and was a founding member of the Sun-Maid Raisin Co-op. Pastoral duties led to a move to Templeton's Bethel Lutheran Church, now the oldest active Lutheran church in the state. The family returned to Kerman in 1930, where Bob graduated from high school. He attended Fresno State his first two years as an undergraduate before transferring and graduating from the University of California. He then started the Woodlake High School vocational agriculture department and taught there for eight years while he earned his master's degree and teaching credential from University of California, Davis. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; his five children, Alice of Las Vegas, NV, Margaret of Portland, OR, Roberta of Fresno, David of Richmond, OR, and Mary of Albuquerque, NM; Dorothy's son, Len Schwartz of Fresno; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at Campus Bible Church, 4710 N. Maple Ave., Fresno, CA, with Reverend Jim Cecy officiating, on Friday, November 17, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. Donations honoring Professor Glim should be made to the Robert J. Glim Endowment, at Fresno State's AG One Foundation, https://www.fresnostate.edu/jcast/agonefoundation/endowment/robertjglim.html or Jaron Ministries, http://www.campusbiblechurch.com/outreach/jaron. Among the things that will be part of this celebration is the fact that seven of Bob's descendants followed his lead to become outstanding members of the teaching profession, which he loved so dearly. Stephens & Bean Chapel, 202 North Teilman Avenue, Fresno, California (559)268-9292