Past RI President Glenn Estess Sr. dies
By Ryan Hyland
Rotary International News – 8 February 2012
Glenn E. Estess Sr., 2004-05 RI president
Glenn E. Estess Sr., who served as 2004-05 RI president during Rotary’s centennial year, died on 7 February. He was 84.
In 1993, Estess retired as chief executive officer of Glenn Estess Associates Inc., a sales and marketing personnel consulting firm, to devote himself full-time to Rotary.
“I am sure the word most often used to describe Past President Glenn is ‘gentle,’” says Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair William B. Boyd. “He was strong in his beliefs but always gentle in expressing them and treated all people with respect and courtesy. He served the world through Rotary in many ways and always with a smile. The Rotary family will miss him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Mary.”
Estess, who joined Rotary in 1960, was a member of the Rotary Club of Shades Valley, Alabama, USA. In addition to his term as RI president, he served in numerous capacities including Rotary Foundation trustee chair, RI vice president and director, president’s aide, PolioPlus national coordinator, RI Audit and Operations Review Committee chair, International Assembly group discussion leader, and district governor.
He was a recipient of the RI Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He was a Foundation Major Donor, a Paul Harris Fellow, and benefactor.
Through the RI theme Celebrate Rotary , Estess encouraged clubs to implement a Rotary centennial community project, form twin club relationships, and support the Every Rotarian, Every Year effort, which aims to achieve an annual US$100 per capita contribution level for the Foundation’s Annual Fund.
“Glenn Estess had an uncomplicated but effective theme for Rotary’s centennial year,” says RI President Kalyan Banerjee. “He celebrated Rotary so aptly and simply during that year. It was amazing. Glenn was always humble, courteous, straightforward, and always doing the right thing.”
Estess served as president of the Birmingham Sales & Marketing Executives Association and the Alabama Association of Personnel Consultants.
Estess’ other accomplishments included director of Central Alabama Better Business Bureau; trustee chair of Baptist Medical Centers; chair of YMCA in Florida, the American Chemical Society, and the American Arthritis Foundation; and regent of the National Association of Personnel Consultants.
"The Four-Way Test was never a challenge for the lifestyle Glenn lived by. He embodied those values and set an example for so many Rotarians," says Donald E. Osburn, aide to the president during Estess’ term. "He always said Rotary is about making friendships for life and that’s exactly what he did all over the world."
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son Glenn Estess Jr.; and daughters Elizabeth Wilson and Nancy Martin.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, 10 February, at 1 p.m. at Brookwood Baptist Church, 3944 Overton Road, Birmingham, Alabama, 35223. Visitation will be held Thursday, 9 February, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Glenn E. Estess Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund at The Rotary Foundation, either online or through an RI international office. Contributions may also be directed to the Glenn E. Estess Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund, under the Foundation’s Permanent Fund.
In this clip from a 2009 interview, Estess talks about the value of Rotary and the strength of Rotarians.