Glenn Irwin Love

Glenn Irwin Love, 94, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. He was born June 21, 1927 to Clarence Lester and Leila Josephine (Peck) Love in Prairie City, Iowa.

Glenn graduated from Carlisle High School in 1945 and enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Guam during World War II and fondly remembered running the movie projectors for his fellow sailors. After the war, he returned home and attended Iowa State College, graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1950.

Glenn first worked at Bishop Manufacturing Company as Chief Engineer designing, fabricating, and overseeing production. He obtained his registration as a Professional Engineer in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in 1954. During his early career, Glenn worked in mechanical/electrical design and manufacturing engineering. Later, he worked at the State of Iowa Department of Health reviewing hospital and nursing home designs to ensure all life safety and critical system standards were met. In the final years of his career, he was the Associate Director of Facilities Management and Plant Operations at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, retiring in 1990. Glenn and his two brothers started a family engineer legacy; his son, daughter, nephew, and grandson all graduated from Iowa State University.

Glenn met Beverly Anderson through a mutual friend and they were married on November 8, 1952. Glenn’s children and grandchildren brought great joy to his life. Glenn was very involved in his children’s school and extracurricular activities including Boy Scouts. He skillfully built a pop-up camper for memorable summer vacations. Glenn loved spending time with his grandchildren; he took them to parks, built go-carts, rode bikes, helped with school electrical projects, tutored physics, and consulted on projects. Glenn will always be remembered as a loving and patient caregiver to his wife Beverly during her last years. After Beverly passed, Glenn moved to Walnut Ridge Independent Senior Community; his “1st Floor Family” brought him companionship and much happiness.

Glenn had a passion for photography; in his younger years, he took wedding photos for friends and enjoyed making the family Christmas cards. He also developed film and printed photos in his own dark room. Glenn’s strong mechanical aptitude and interest extended well beyond his professional life. He repaired his vehicles and appliances as well as completed electrical and plumbing remodeling, structural load calculations, and HVAC calculations/designs. He even rebuilt his car engine and converted his car to natural gas. As he aged, he remained savvy with technology to stay connected with others.

Glenn will be greatly missed by his children, Douglas (Pamela) Love of Scottsdale, AZ, and Anna Love (Rick) Pauley of Clive, IA; his four grandchildren, Kathryn (Jonathan Frank), Bennett, Jacob, and Maxson Pauley; his two great-grandsons, Charles and Otto Frank; nieces and nephews; and cherished friends who were considered family. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Beverly; his parents and his siblings Donald Love, Robert Love, Margaret Pisle, and infant sister Evelyn; and life-long friends, Dale and Barbara Derby.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 12 noon with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be private at Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Iowa State University Foundation to benefit the Henry Black Scholarship Fund, 2505 University Boulevard, Ames, IA 50010 or to Puppy Jake Foundation in loving memory of Glenn. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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