Glenn C. Randa

Glenn C. Randa, 82, a resident of Willow Valley Retirement Community in Willow Street, Pennsylvania, died July 5, 2010, of cancer. He was born in Chicago on December 10, 1927, but grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1945, he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and in 1950 graduated from Columbia University with Bachelor and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering. Thereafter, he earned an E.E. degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a degree recognizing additional classroom and research experience beyond the masters degree.

Glenn’s entire professional career of 35 years was spent with IBM. He worked for IBM’s Federal Systems Division in Owego, New York; Gaithersburg, Maryland; and Manassas, Virginia; designing computers and peripheral equipment for various agencies of the United States Government. His projects included systems for the B-52 bomber, Titan missile, ships, and submarines. Soon after he joined IBM, he interrupted his career for service in the United States Army during the Korean war. After completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Riley, Kansas, he served two and a half years in the Signal Corps.

While stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, he married Ruth Klawunn, whom he had known since childhood. At Glenn’s death, they had been married for 58 years. In addition to his wife Ruth, Glenn is survived by three sons and their wives, Richard and Betty Randa of St. Louis, Missouri; Bob Randa and Patton Conner of Bethesda, Maryland; David and Lorelei Randa of Sherborn, Massachusetts; and a daughter and her husband, Beth and Philip Manns of Forest, Virginia. Glenn is survived by eight grandchildren: Brooke and Scott Randa; Ben, Frank, and Glenna Manns; and Nate, Sam, and Lucy Randa. He also is survived by a twin sister and her husband, Shirley and Walter Gorny of Willow Valley Retirement Community.

Glenn loved to sail. While living in the Washington, DC area, the family sailed on the Chesapeake Bay and at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, where they had a cabin. Glenn retired in 1985 to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia and continued to sail there. During retirement, he was actively involved in designing and building several homes and in serving on the building committee for Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta, Virginia, where he was an elder. He was a member of the board of directors and chairman of the directions committee for the annual Smith Mountain Charity Home Tour. He was a member of the Lions Club and served for four years as secretary. His other interests included reading, traveling, and golf.

In 2004, Glenn and Ruth moved to the Willow Valley Retirement Community outside Lancaster, Pennsylvania. While at Willow Valley, Glenn enjoyed golf, bridge, and the community’s camera club. He was a member of Highland Presbyterian Church.

The kind and professional care given Glenn by the staff at Arbor View, nurses at Spring Run and Hospice of Lancaster County was greatly appreciated by his family.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 12, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at the Auditorium at Spring Run, 950 Willow Valley Lakes Drive, Willow Street, PA with the Rev. Dr. Roger Rabey officiating. Friends may greet the family following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Randa’s memory may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 or to the Steeple Fund at Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 E. Roseville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.