Richard Gerald (Jerry) Glass

A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Jerry Glass graduated from Jefferson High School in 1951 and matriculated at East Tennessee State University on a football scholarship.  At the end of his second year in college, Jerry spent two years in Killeen, Texas, while serving in the Army.  When his tour of duty ended, he returned to East Tennessee State and graduated in 1958 with a major in physical education and a minor in math.   He went to work as a teacher with the Roanoke City School System; three years later he married a local girl, Suzanne Garst (deceased 2012). 

For the next half century, Jerry pursued a career in public education initially holding positions as a junior high math and physical education instructor, along with serving as basketball and tennis coach.   After two years in the city of Roanoke, he taught in the Roanoke County system and began work on a graduate degree.  He received an M.Ed. in 1964 from East Tennessee State and a few years later moved to Radford, Virginia.  He retired in 1997, at the completion of 28 years as an elementary school principal.   Immediately uncomfortable with too much time on his hands, Jerry worked over the next 14 years as a substitute teacher, coach, and principal. In 2011, he retired again; and this time truly closed out his career in public education.

 When asked about interests, Jerry mentions his family first--four daughters, spouses, and eight grandchildren--with golf and travel close behind.  Once settled at WC, and when weather permits, Jerry hopes to spend many days on the links.  As to travel, in addition to extensive journeys to Europe and the Far East, on three occasions Jerry accompanied his daughter Nancy to Africa where she, as Associate Dean in Public Health at Johns Hopkins, carried out work-related responsibilities.  Jerry spent the time learning all that he could about the people and the places they visited.

Two recent events hold special meaning for Jerry.  In 2011, to celebrate his 80th birthday, his daughters joined him in running a half marathon, which he completed slightly ahead of his goal of three hours. On a trip to Africa in 2013, Jerry learned that an African friend and landowner had decided to convert some of his property into a park and named it R. G. Glass Place.