Robert Glendon Obituary

Glendon, Robert

Robert R. "Bob" Glendon, 97, of Morris, Il passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023. He was born and raised in Moline, IL.

Bob served as a Cadet Midshipman in the U.S. Merchant Marines during WWII and received Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean Service Ribbons. In 1946 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served with the U. S. Army of Occupation in Kobe, Japan.

Following his service, he earned a Bachelor of Art's degree in Mathematics form St. Ambrose University.

Bob entered New Agent's Training in August 1951. His first office was the Jackson, TN Resident Agency (RA). A three-man RA, he worked mostly criminal cases. After one year he was transferred to the New York Office. There, Bob enjoyed much success working the Communist Party underground networks. He was assigned to "Operation Solo," a long-running FBI program to infiltrate the Communist Party of the United States. Bob was the alternate handling agent for one of the most important FBI double agents of the time. He appeared on the History Channel's production of this very noted FBI case reflecting the penetration at the highest levels of the Soviet hierarchy. In 1958 he was transferred to Chicago. He continued his outstanding work with the Communist Party as well as Domestic Terrorism cases, including the Weather Underground.

Following his retirement from the Bureau, he worked for Control Risks Group, a London-based crisis consultancy providing negotiation advice to corporations and families in kidnapping and extortion incidents throughout the world, including one of the longest running (twenty month) executive kidnapping incident in Panama.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Ann (Mavity) Glendon. He is survived by his daughter, Teresa Ann (Chris) Lanza and sons, Robert Dana (Beverly) and Peter Kevin Glendon; grandson Steven Lanza and granddaughters Kristin Glendon and Karen Scherzer and great grandson Henry Scherzer.

In 2000 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from St. Ambrose University and in 2002 was inducted into the Moline High School's Hall of Honor. He has authored three suspense novels and a family biography of life growing up in the Great Depression. In 2015 Bob, along with 16 other Chicago Chapter Members were awarded and recognized for their Distinguished Service to the Chicago Division and the FBI. They were each presented a "G-Man Statute" thanking them for their Distinguished Service to a very Grateful Nation.

A visitation for Bob will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, from 10 AM to 1PM at the UC Davis-Callahan Funeral Home in Morris. A celebration of Bob's life at 1 PM. He will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery with Military Honors.

Memorials may be made in Bob's name to either the YMCA Little League Baseball, United Service Organization at www.USO.org or the Morris VFW Post 6049.

The arrangements for Saturday June 3rd are on the website: ucdaviscalliahan.com, 815-942-0084 in Morris, IL. A luncheon/dinner at Maria's local restaurant from 2p - 6p to follow service.

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