Richard Mills Glidden

Richard M. Glidden, 95, of Orleans, MA, passed away on April 25, 2020, due to complications from the Coronavirus. Richard was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Elizabeth T. Glidden, just one month earlier on March 22, 2020. Richard was born in Irvington, NJ, on November 3, 1924, and was the second son of Benjamin and Marion Glidden.

Richard graduated from Cranford High School, Cranford, NJ, in 1942. He proudly served his country in WWII. He entered the US Army in August 1943, under the Army Specialized Training Program. He was assigned to the University of Maine in Orono as a member of the Contingent of 700 men trained as mechanical engineers. In April 1944, he became a combat infantryman. He was selected as First Scout, First Platoon, B Company, 14th Battalion, 104th Infantry Regiment. After landing in Cherbourg, France, in September 1944, he was sent to the front line near Nancy, France. He was wounded in battle in November 1944, and after recovering, was assigned to the 25th Postal Detachment in France. He was transferred in December 1945, to Wurzburg, Germany, again to the 25th Postal Detachment until February 1946, when he was ordered back to the US. He was honorably discharged and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star. He was one of a kind, from The Greatest Generation!

After the war, he attended Lafayette College, Easton, PA, from 1946-1947, and graduated from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, with a BS in Chemistry in 1950.

Before the war, Richard had worked for Merck & Co., and then for Rodic Rubber in Garwood, NJ. After the war, he returned to work at Rodic until he left to finish his education at Rutgers. He joined Ames Rubber Corporation in Hamburg, NJ, in June 1950, as a chemist. Throughout his career at Ames, he became Chief Chemist, Technical Director, Vice President, President, and Chairman of the Board, retiring in June 1995. He was a member of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society. He was one of the founders of Avon-Ames, LTD in Melksham, England, and Ames-Avon in Hamburg, NJ, manufacturers of rubber products. He also was a Director of NJ Manufacturers Insurance Company, a Trustee of NJ Business and Industry Association, and a Director of Ames Industries.

He was a member of the Yankee Division Veterans Association.

He and his wife raised their family in Sparta, NJ, until retiring to their Cape Cod home in Orleans, MA, in 1997. While in NJ, he served as Deacon and Trustee at the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta. After moving to Orleans, he and his wife became members and were active at the Orleans United Methodist Church.

Richard was also predeceased by his parents, Benjamin and Marion; his brother Jack and wife, Adrienne; his brother Gene and wife, Marj.

Richard is survived by three daughters: Jane Walck (Bert Walck) of Tannersville, PA; Susan Bowens (Brian Bowens) of Shapleigh, ME; Polly Payson of Orleans, MA, and Fredon, NJ; and six grandchildren: Benjamin Reinhardt (Audrey) of Lyon, France; Tucker Reinhardt of Tannersville, PA; Kelly Bowens of Nashville, TN; Daniel Bowens of Orleans, MA; Stephen Payson of N. Arlington, NJ; Jared Payson of Fredon, NJ; and one great-granddaughter: Elise of Lyon, France. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and extended families: John Glidden, Nancy Oliver, Mark Glidden, Scott Glidden, Jodi Doyle, Kathryn Ambelang, Gavin Taylor and Alison Aranda. He will truly be missed by all.

Private arrangements will be postponed until a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project, or to your favorite charity.