Obituary of Kenneth Merrill Gleszer

Kenneth Merrill Gleszer, 94, passed away February 3, 2016. He was born December 12, 1921 to Rosalind Goldberg and William McKinley Gleszer of West Hartford. Ken attended West Hartford schools through high school where his lifelong interest in radio began as a teenage amateur ‘ham’ radio operator. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines as a radio officer in World War II, shipping war supplies to Europe and South America on Liberty ships. He watched other ships torpedoed and narrowly survived a V2 blast in Antwerp. After the war Ken attended colleges in Dayton, Ohio. He worked for General Motors and began his work with powdered metal, receiving three patents for composites used in aircraft brakes. His career continued with metal powders and he was last appointed President and technical director of Dixon Sintaloy in Stamford, forging powdered-metal parts. In 1961 Ken was granted a Tumble Finishing Process patent for the company. Some of Gleszer’s other recognitions include being the founding president of the Powder Metallurgy Parts Association 1957-1959, an award in 1970 from the Stamford, J.M. Wright Technical School for his contributions on the school’s Industrial Advisory Board and a 1985 Metal Powder Industries Federation award for “Distinguished Service to Powder Metal”. After “retiring” in 1986 he consulted with overseas powdered metal businesses. Ken and his beloved wife Ann made annual trips to Switzerland and Italy in retirement where they had many lifelong friends. Ken held a special place in his heart for dogs. His most recent Border Collie brought him much joy. Ken was an avid power boater and sailor, and earned a United States Power Squadron full certificate. He was also an instrument-rated pilot, a Certified Flight Instructor and a member of the Danbury Flying 20s Club. He piloted many flights in Piper Cherokee 88 Whiskey to Florida, the Caribbean, and the Northeast. He was a transmitter engineer for WLAD in Danbury, a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association and a Life Member of the American Radio Relay League holding W1KAY amateur ‘Extra’, the highest amateur radio license. Ken is predeceased by his wife, Ann Griffin Gleszer. He is survived by his step-sons, Douglas and spouse, Jill of Monroe; Glenn and Sandra of Silver City, NM; grandson Douglas Griffin II and spouse Stephanie of Bethel. He is also survived by family friends Randy and Rose Salazar of Danbury, and Thomas and Carol Cheslock of Marion, NC. He will be missed by his family, neighbors and amateur radio friends in the U.S., Switzerland and Italy. Calling hours will be held 10-11 AM, Saturday, May 7, 2016 followed by a memorial at the Brookfield Funeral Home, 786 Federal Rd, Brookfield. A private burial will be at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.