Glenn Edward Blitgen (1st Lt. USMC Ret.), 95, of Amber and Washington, DC, left this earth to be with our Lord on April 10, 2018 after living a long, loving, and wonderful life. Glenn was born on April 1, 1923 during a blizzard on his parents’ farm outside of Bellevue, Iowa. He attended Bellevue High School where graduated as valedictorian of his class. He attended the State University of Iowa where he received a Bachelor of Science in Financial Commerce. He was a member of the marching band and pursued post-graduate studies at American University, the Georgetown School of Foreign Service in International Affairs, and the National War College in1966 while working for the State Department.
Glenn enlisted in the Marine Corp November 14, 1942 while still attending the State University of Iowawhere he also met his true love Elizabeth whom he would later marry. He left for Quantico Marine Base in August of 1943 and was later assigned to the 1st Marine Division Third Armored Amphibian Battalion. On September 29, 1944 in the Battle of Peleliu in the Pacific Theatre, Glenn’s heroic actions resulted in himsustaining a lifelong injury for which he received the Purple Heart.
After retiring from the Marine Corps in August 1, 1946, Glenn took on numerous positions in the Federal Governmentworking in theOffice of the Assistant Secretary of Defense as Deputy Director of International Security Affairs and serving as Deputy Director of the Near Eastern and South Asian Region at the Pentagon and State Department. He retired on December 19, 1979 as a charter member of the Senior Executive Service ending 37 years of distinguished service to his country. After leaving the government, he worked for the American Mining Congressbefore eventually settling down to spend more time with his beloved wife, Elizabeth.They traveled for many years to Iowa, Canada and then hundreds of miles in Central New York.
Glenn and Elizabeth were married in Alexandria, Virginia on September 10, 1945. They lovingly raised three children and two grandchildren in the Washington, DC areaand later lived in Amber, NY.In 1995, their daughter Ann accompanied them almost all of their time. After 64 years of marriage Elizabeth left this earth to be with our Lord in 2009. Glenn was also predeceased by his sons Edward and William. Glenn is survived by his loving daughter Ann Elizabeth Blitgen, his son-in-law James T. Stauckas, daughter-in-laws Valerie Meisel Blitgen and Valerie Kinder-Blitgen, his granddaughter Jennifer L. Blitgen, his grandson Scott A. M. Blitgen, and many relatives in Iowa.
Services will be held on Sunday May 6, 2018 at Amber Congregational Church at 2:30pm. Friends may call on the family at the church from 1:30pm to 2:30pm prior and a military burial will be held following the service at the Amber Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to your local ASPCA or the Wounded Warriors Project.