Glenn Richard Spillman

The Memorial Service for Glenn will be held at the family's home on Saturday, June 11th at 6:00pm. Glenn Richard Spillman, 79, of Kansas City, Missouri, who gave the best hugs ever, passed away peacefully at home on May 25th. Rita, his wife of 55 years, was at his side. Glenn was born in Dellroy, Ohio on December 28, 1936 to Ronald and Kathryn Spillman. Although Glenn was their only child, he was surrounded by a huge and loving family of uncles, aunts, and cousins, most of whom lived in near-by, tight-knit farm communities. After WWII, Glenns Dad was able to return to farming full time, so the family moved to a beautiful and productive farm in New Waterford, Ohio, where his Mom, Kathryn, (at 100) still resides. Glenn earned his BA in Art from Youngstown University in 1961. Just weeks after graduation and their wedding, Rita and Glenn headed West for their next adventures: graduate school at KU; moving to Kansas City; raising three children. For the next 31 years, Glenn taught art and photography at Northeast High School. He was an extraordinary teacher, encouraging every student to tap into his or her creative resources, think outside the box, and become self-reliant. He was an active conservationist and worked to bring the natural world into the classroom. With his friend and teaching partner, Duane Kelly, he helped lead many a weekend trip for city-bound students to Squaw Creek National Wildlife refuge to see American Bald Eagles by the dozens, ducks by the hundreds, wild geese by the thousands. Throughout his teaching career, he was an active member and leader in the Kansas City AFT. All his life, Glenn was an avid painter, photographer, designer and ceramicist with a voracious appetite for knowledge. After retirement from teaching, he started his own advertising and graphic design business, Fine and Digital Design Services. Never one to pay only lip service to "family first," Glenn was the real deal as husband and father and was always there for his family. His death leaves a big black hole in the lives of his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Rita; three children: Erik, Ann, and Elisabeth, son-in-law Eric Gallant; three grandchildren: Cecilia Nord, Charles Nord, and Jackson Gallant; and his beloved Mom, carloads of cousins, and truly amazing friends. Glenn loved music every bit as much as art and was a subscriber to recitals and concerts for nearly 50 years. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Summerfest Concerts, Friends of Chamber Music, Heartland Music Academy, the Kansas City Symphony, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, KCAI, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Art Museum, or your favorite arts organization. We would like to extend a special thanks to the remarkable nurses of Kansas City Hospice.

His Memorial Service will take place at the family's home. SERVICES Memorial Service
Saturday, June 11, 2016 6:00 PM
His Memorial Service will take place at the family's home.