Longtime MU educator worked for Parks and Recreation Department
Dr. Glenn Alton Gillespie, a longtime educator and dean at MU, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, at University Hospital. He was 82.
He was born Dec. 14, 1924, in Bethany to Robert and Clara (Wells) Gillespie. He married Elaine Sanders on July 1, 1944.
Dr. Gillespie was valedictorian of Bethany High School in 1942, attended Northwest Missouri State University and received both his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from MU. He was employed by MU from 1967 to 1993, working in various roles including as a professor of recreation and park administration and as associate dean of the school’s College of Public and Community Services.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and also worked as a farmer and for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Gillespie served as the city’s Parks and Recreation commissioner and was involved with the National Recreation and Park Association’s Council on Accreditation. He was a member of Bethany Baptist Church and was an avid golfer.
Dr. Gillespie is survived by his wife; two sons, Richard Gillespie of Warrensburg and Daniel Gillespie of Columbia; daughter Patricia Byington of St. Charles; sisters Carol McQuary of Olympia, Wash., and Lola Harryman of Bolivar; brothers James Eldon Gillespie of King City and Victor Gillespie of Fulton; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
One sister, Daisy Bruckner, and one brother, Robert Gillespie, died earlier.
Visitation will be from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Bethany Baptist Church, 1703 W. Worley St. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Inurnment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Bethany Baptist Church, 1703 W. Worley St., Columbia, MO 65203 or the Columbia Area Senior Center, 1121 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia, MO 65202. Online tributes may be left at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.
