Glen A. Barth's Obituary
Glen Arthur Barth
July 7th 1921 - March 25th 2022
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Glen Arthur Barth. He will be missed by all his family and friends. We asked that you keep them in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Glen was born on July 7th, 1921 in Cisne, a small rural town in southern Illinois.
His early life was in the midst of the Great Depression which influenced his entire life. At an early age he became interested in music and learned to play violin, ukulele, harmonica and piano.
In high school he played tuba in the band. Glen organized a dance band in which he played piano and they played for mostly local functions. This evolved into a small group with jobs in clubs and dance halls. Eventually the band got some better jobs in resorts and hotels. This started when Glen was 15 years old and continued until 1942. Between music jobs Glen worked in the Family store at home.
On Glen’s 21st birthday he applied for membership with the Masonic Lodge. Between that date
and the stated meeting, Glen was drafted into World War II. After three months of basic training
and another three months in officers school, Glen was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and
was ordered to join an anti-aircraft battalion in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was given a ten
day delay enroute to visit family. Glen’s father was Master of the Masonic Lodge and arranged
for him to get all three degrees in ten days. Glen was coached full-time by all the Masons in
town.
On arrival in California, Glen reported to the headquarters in San Leandro and defended the
area from the San Mateo Bridge to the Alameda Naval Air Station. After about 6 months, he
was reassigned to the South Pacific Theatre and his unit moved at various times from Oahu to
Palmyra atoll and to Apemama atoll in the Marshall-Gilbert island group.
Glen was in the Pacific Theatre until the war ended with V-J day, by which time he had reached
the rank of Captain. He was relieved from active duty in 1946 and found employment with a
manufacturing company in San Leandro. They manufactured windows and patio doors. Glen
started with a clerical job, became bookkeeper, then office manager. He was later promoted to
Secretary-Treasurer and finally to President and Chairman of the Board. Glen worked for the
company from 1946 to December 2000 - 54 years.
Glen is survived by his wife Noreen Barth, his son Bradley Barth, and his granddaughters
Adrianna Nicole Cameron and Haley Elizabeth Barth.
What’s your fondest memory of Glen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Glen?
Share a story where Glen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Glen you’ll never forget.
How did Glen make you smile?