ORRINGTON - Robert Earl Glidden, 96 years old, passed away after a brief illness at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Bangor following a long, happy life. Bob was born in Bangor on December 7, 1922 to Fred and Marion Glidden, who had a small dairy and truck farm in Orrington; in the fifties, Bob built a home for his family nearby and spent the rest of his life there.
Bob attended schools in Orrington graduating from Bangor High School, where he played trombone in the marching band. While still in high school, he began working for Bangor Auto Body. He enlisted in 1943 and served in the 738th Anti-Aircraft Battalion attached to the 2nd Marine Division for the invasion of the Mariana Islands in the Pacific. After working for Bangor Auto Body for many years, he started his own business, Glidden Auto Body in 1964, and he sold the business in 1977.
After retiring, Bob and his wife, Lillian, traveled around the country in their RV; he was happiest surrounded by his family and friends at frequent gatherings. He enjoyed his camp at Jacob Buck Pond, raised sheep, became an avid reader, expanded his flower and vegetable gardens and fished as often as he could. He had a zest for life and was an accomplished gardener, a skilled woodsman and a talented carpenter. He could make or fix almost anything; his mantra was "It's better than it was.” We knew him as he great improviser.
He was a 32nd degree Master Mason at the Ralph J. Pollard Lodge # 217 A.F. & A.M., Orrington, and a member of the Anah Shriners of Bangor. Bob enjoyed many hours of volunteering at Cole's Transportation Museum. He was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Orrington Historical Society, and the First United Methodist Church where he contributed much time and energy. In later years, Bob enjoyed performing in commercials for Glidden Auto Body.
Bob was predeceased by his loving wife, Lillian, his parents, Fred and Marion Glidden, his brother, Walter, and his sisters Janice McGinley and Lelia Elkins. He is survived by and will be much missed by his loving children, Judy Patterson and her husband Vern, Gail Rowe and her husband Jim, and Dave Glidden and his wife Robin, his grandson Paul Patterson and his granddaughter Corina (Glidden) Fitzgerald and her husband, Chris who have been caring for him in his home since 2014. He is also survived by eighteen nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 4, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, 14 Center Drive Rd, Orrington with Rev. Ron Chaffee, pastor, officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
Those who wish to remember Bob in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the First United Methodist Church, 14 Center Drive, Orrington, ME 04474 or the Maine Veterans’ Home, 44 Hogan Rd, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Earl Glidden, please visit our flower store.
Bob attended schools in Orrington graduating from Bangor High School, where he played trombone in the marching band. While still in high school, he began working for Bangor Auto Body. He enlisted in 1943 and served in the 738th Anti-Aircraft Battalion attached to the 2nd Marine Division for the invasion of the Mariana Islands in the Pacific. After working for Bangor Auto Body for many years, he started his own business, Glidden Auto Body in 1964, and he sold the business in 1977.
After retiring, Bob and his wife, Lillian, traveled around the country in their RV; he was happiest surrounded by his family and friends at frequent gatherings. He enjoyed his camp at Jacob Buck Pond, raised sheep, became an avid reader, expanded his flower and vegetable gardens and fished as often as he could. He had a zest for life and was an accomplished gardener, a skilled woodsman and a talented carpenter. He could make or fix almost anything; his mantra was "It's better than it was.” We knew him as he great improviser.
He was a 32nd degree Master Mason at the Ralph J. Pollard Lodge # 217 A.F. & A.M., Orrington, and a member of the Anah Shriners of Bangor. Bob enjoyed many hours of volunteering at Cole's Transportation Museum. He was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Orrington Historical Society, and the First United Methodist Church where he contributed much time and energy. In later years, Bob enjoyed performing in commercials for Glidden Auto Body.
Bob was predeceased by his loving wife, Lillian, his parents, Fred and Marion Glidden, his brother, Walter, and his sisters Janice McGinley and Lelia Elkins. He is survived by and will be much missed by his loving children, Judy Patterson and her husband Vern, Gail Rowe and her husband Jim, and Dave Glidden and his wife Robin, his grandson Paul Patterson and his granddaughter Corina (Glidden) Fitzgerald and her husband, Chris who have been caring for him in his home since 2014. He is also survived by eighteen nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 4, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, 14 Center Drive Rd, Orrington with Rev. Ron Chaffee, pastor, officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
Those who wish to remember Bob in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the First United Methodist Church, 14 Center Drive, Orrington, ME 04474 or the Maine Veterans’ Home, 44 Hogan Rd, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
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