The Rev. Glenn A. Waltman passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 1st, at the age of 90. He was the eldest son of Frank and Charlotte Leo Waltman and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Donna Coates Waltman and their three children, Darrell, Dean and DeeAnne and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his three younger siblings.
Born in Denver, Colorado in 1934, he and his family moved to Chicago, attended grade school and then continued on to Anaheim, CA and then to Fontana, CA where he completed his schooling. Before graduating from Chaffey High School in Ontario, CA, he lettered in swimming and water polo. He was also an Eagle Scout. He came to Oregon State College intending to major in forestry but ended up earning a degree in education with an emphasis on recreation. While at Oregon State, he was the editor of the college newspaper, the Barometer.
Glenn had an insatiable desire for adventure and mountain climbing was his ambition. After graduating, he went to Iliff, the Methodist Seminary in Denver intending to be a youth pastor. There he met his future wife, Donna, who was attending the University of Denver on the same campus.
Glenn and Donna were married in Milwaukee, WI, her hometown, on September 3, 1960. His first church appointment was to Pleasant Home Methodist Church in Oregon and he served churches in Oregon and Idaho and finished his ministry as a missionary to Trinidad. While serving churches, he was very active in the Conference camping program of the Methodist Church because he wanted to share God’s creation with youth and adults.
After retiring, he and Donna spent 10 years serving as volunteers with the UM Volunteers in Mission program in Chile, Uruguay and Costa Rica and the United Methodist Committee on Relief Depot in Salt Lake City. Glenn went as a volunteer missionary to Nicaragua in 1987.
To quote his son, Darrell, “I’d say God rest his soul but I suspect he will be dragging God about the Heavens to show God the beauty that He created. Rest in peace but keep up the feverish pace, Dad. We love you”.
A celebration of life for Glenn will be held at 1:00 PM at Gresham United Methodist Church on September 28th. 620 NW 8th St. Gresham OR 97030
Memorial gifts may be made to the Camp and Retreat Ministries of the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church at 505 SW 18th Portland OR 97201 Make checks out to: Conference Treasurer
Or give online: gocamping.org/donate
Or you may give to a charity of your choice
Glen A Waltman 1934–2024
