Donald J. Glaser

GLASER

Donald (Don) J. Glaser, a longtime leading light of Louisville's interior design community, once dubbed "Secretary of the Interior," by Louisville magazine, and who for decades headed the Stewart's Interior Design Studio, and later served as vice president of residential design for Hubbuch & Co., died Saturday, June 25, 2016, at his Louisville home. He was 91. Mr. Glaser inspired generations of young designers, preaching his "make-the-most-of-what-you-have-where-you-are" design philosophy. One of those protégés, interior designer Beverly Beaver, told Kentucky Homes & Gardens in 2009 that she was inspired by Mr. Glaser's "patience, honesty, and fairness. He set an example to which I have always aspired." His home, long on historic Belgravia Court and later at StoneCrest, felt something like a baroque museum, a repository from his more than 40 years of buying trips circumnavigating the globe. Mr. Glaser, who loved to travel, and who traveled the world as a buyer for Stewart's (and later for Hubbuch's) with an eye for procuring the beautiful and the rare, made friends everywhere: a silk trader in Singapore, a cabinet maker in Milan, antique and art dealers throughout London. From the time he moved to Louisville in 1951, he was deeply involved in the cultural life of his adopted hometown, an active member of the Speed Museum, the Louisville Ballet, Louisville Symphony, Louisville Opera, and the English Speaking Union. In his later years, he devoted himself to Spalding University (where he served as designer-in-residence), and to many longtime clients who, over the decades, had become dear and treasured friends. Mr. Glaser graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1947, and a few years later, from Parsons School of Design in New York City. Upon graduation, he became a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (A.S.I.D.); he was past president of the society's Southern Ohio - Kentucky Chapter. In 2004, Mr. Glaser was awarded an honorary doctorate from Spalding University. He was also an honorary member of the Kentucky Colonels. He was the beloved son of the late John F. and Lucille Folz Glaser, and the wonderful brother of Barbara Mahany, Nancy Woodhouse (Allan) and David (Carol), wonderful brother-in-law to Fran Greiwe Glaser, a beloved uncle to many nephews and nieces, and beloved friend of Skippy Glaser, Bonnie Coffield, Gene Stotz, Bob and Mary Ann Richardson, Helena Mink, Victor Hurst, Paul Sanders, Ben McQuese, Ed Headley Jr., and Curt Von Allmen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother John, Jr. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Louis Bertrand Church, Louisville, KY at 9:30 a.m. on August 6. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the institution or charity of your choice. If you wish, acknowledgements can be sent to David W. Glaser at 18 Surry Lane, Freeport, ME 04032.