George Glaser, 72, IBM executive
George R. Glaser of 74 Indian Cave Road, a retired IBM executive who had lived here for 35 years, died unexpectedly Saturday, Dec. 21, at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was 72 years old and the husband of Maureen Schneider Glaser.
Mr. Glaser was born in Jersey City, N.J., on Sept. 24, 1930, the son of the late George A. and Nora Prindiville Glaser. Jesuit-educated, he graduated from St. Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City and, with honors, from St. Peter’s College in 1950.
In both high school and college, Mr. Glaser was a track star. “He was an incredible athlete,” said his son, Jeff. “He was a cross country and middle distance runner of state champion level” and won interscholastic trophies at St. Peter’s College.
Mr. Glaser graduated from Officer’s Candidate School in Newport, R.I., and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.
In 1953 he married Maureen Schneider, whom he had met when they were both teenagers. They would have marked their 50th wedding anniversary on March 21.
After his discharge from the Navy in 1954, Mr. Glaser joined IBM, where he spent his entire 38-year career. He began as a marketing representative, selling mainframe computers to businesses at a time when few people even knew what a computer was or what it could do. His years with I.B.M. spanned an era of the most dynamic change the information technology field had ever seen and he was credited with laying the groundwork for IBM’s current customer-driven strategy.
Mr. Glaser was promoted to several management positions including the Federal Systems Division, assigned to the Pentagon; the Data Processing Division, as branch manager in Cambridge, Mass.; and as director of Contract Relations in White Plains, N.Y.
The Glasers moved to Ridgefield in 1967 and were among the earliest homeowners at Twin Ridge, a then-new subdivision at the south side of town. Mr. Glaser often worked behind the scenes on community projects, such as sharing his wife’s interests and work in the Branchville School PTA and assisting the annual Ridgefield High School PTSA Scholarship Ball. He also helped his wife in leading a 1986 effort to save one of the village’s last American elm trees, threatened by a planned realignment of the Grand Union shopping center entrance. It was a successful campaign that gained national attention.
Mr. Glaser was happiest working outdoors in his yard, his family said. He enjoyed flower and rock gardening, and landscaping his property. He also enjoyed golf, especially with his grandson, Mark. “They spent endless hours together playing the game,” his family said.
He was also an avid fan of Notre Dame football.
“All who knew him for his fairness, his kindness, his generosity and his patience will remember him,” his family said. “He leaves behind a legacy of love.”
Besides his wife, Mr. Glaser is survived by three sons: Mark Glaser of Green Pond, N.J., attorney Jeffrey Glaser of Cary, N.C., and Drew Glaser of Bethel; and four grandchildren: Mark Francis Glaser of Green Pond and Jessica, Heather and Justin Glaser of Cary.
The Rev. Paul Murphy, parochial vicar of St. Mary’s Church, led graveside services Friday, Dec. 27, at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Ridgefield, 90 East Ridge, the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Dept., 6 Catoonah Street, or to ROAR, c/o Marcia Libby, 1 West Mountain Road, all of Ridgefield, CT 06877.
The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.