Alexander Jacob Glass, Ph. D.'s Obituary
Alexander J. Glass, Ph.D. peacefully passed away on October 18, 2019 at his home in Alameda surrounded by family while Vivaldi played softly in the background. He was 86 years old.
Alex was born January 4, 1933 and grew up on a farm in Pittsfield Township outside of Oneonta, NY. After his Milford High School math teacher nominated him, he won a full academic scholarship to attend the college of his choice in the state of New York. He selected Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, from which he graduated in 1954 with a BS in physics. He then attended Yale University, where he received an MS in physics. Alex then took a break from studies to fulfill his military obligation, serving as a captain in the U.S. Army based at Aberdeen Proving Ground near Baltimore. He completed his formal education in 1963 when he received his Ph.D. in physics from Yale.
In Alex’s diverse career, he held numerous leadership positions in academia, scientific research, and the non-profit world. He embarked on his professional journey at the Institute of Defense Analyses in Washington, DC, then accepted the chairmanship of the electrical engineering department at Wayne State University in Detroit. In 1973, Alex began his long association with the University of California when he was appointed to the team of laser fusion experts working on the Shiva Project at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, where he was later named assistant director of the laser program, assistant director of magnetic fusion and beam research, and associate director for programs. In 1981, Alex began his six-year tenure as president of KMS Fusion in Ann Arbor, MI. Upon returning to California in 1987, he led the Bay Area Regional Technology Alliance. Prior to his retirement, he served as COO at KineMed, Inc., a biomedical diagnostics firm in Emeryville.
Alex and his first wife had three children: Jennifer Glass (Harlan Seymour), Mavis Prall Cohen (Joel), and Lawrence Glass (Mary League). He married his wife, Judith Anderson Glass, in 1977 and became stepfather to her daughters Emily Allbritten (George) and Mary Adam Thomas (Kevin). Together, Alex and Judith have nine grandchildren.
Alex had a wry sense of humor and an encyclopedic knowledge of theater, baseball, history, literature, and other topics. He and Judith savored any opportunity to travel, and their greatest overseas adventure was living in London for several years in the early 2000s while Alex served as a civilian employee for the U.S. Air Force in the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development. He served on the board of The Aurora Theatre Company (as well as other non-profits), mentored numerous young scientists, and was a long-time active member of the Berkeley Rotary Club. He also sang in several community choruses throughout the East Bay.
Alex was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Anna Glass; his sister Pauline Bodden; and his daughter Jennifer. He is survived by his wife, four of his children, his grandchildren, his sister Naomi Glass of Washington, DC, and many nieces and nephews.
Alex was a generous, talented, accomplished man. He will be greatly missed by many.
A celebration of Alex Glass’ life will be held on Saturday, November 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the Claremont Club in Berkeley (214 Hillcrest Road). Please RSVP by October 30 to [email protected].
Donations to honor Alex Glass’ life and legacy may be made to:
The Aurora Theatre Company
2081 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
www.auroratheatre.org
The Berkeley Rotary Endowment
2342 Shattuck Ave., #101, Berkeley, CA 94704
www.berkeleyrotary.org/donate-berkeley-rotary-endowment.php
The Lawrence & Anna Glass Memorial Scholarship at Hartwick College
Hartwick College, P.O. Box 4022, Oneonta, NY 13820
www.hartwick.edu/giving/scholarships-and-funded-awards/
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