Donald Glenn Young

Donald Glenn Young died at home in Cranford, NJ on April 10, 2025 with his loving wife Charlene at his side, after a yearlong struggle with cancer. He was 84.

Born in Bloomsburg, PA, Don grew up in the small town of Nescopeck in northeastern Pennsylvania. He was a successful three season varsity athlete at Nescopeck Regional High School. Don credited the discipline necessary to run country and track and field with hi successful attainment of a BS with honors in Chemical Engineering at Lehigh University in1963. He went on to earn an MS in Chemical Engineering from UC Berkeley, after which he began a long and successful career in the petrochemical industry, retiring from Exxon/Mobile after over 3 decades.

Don was highly respected for his work in rubber technology, evolving his craft from chemical engineer to materials scientist. His most fruitful work centered on developing and popularizing new methods for fatigue testing of rubber compounds, yielding more than a dozen publications in professional journals.

He was an active alumnus at Lehigh University and was especially supportive of the wrestling program. Among the other activities he enjoyed were sailing, cycling, reading, walking, and music. He was also a literacy volunteer in his community and was active, along with his wife Charlene, in the outreach, food, and youth scholarship ministries at First Congregational Church in Westfield.

He leaves Charlene, his dear wife of 36 years, 2 stepchildren and their partners, and 3 step grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held in August at West Lane Cemetery, Kensington, CT. In his memory, the family invites those so inclined to make a donation to the charity of their choice.

Arrangements by Gray Memorial Funeral Home, Cranford, NJ. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.