Remembering Glenn Beall: A plastics pioneer and a generous spirit
Glenn Beall was more than a plastics pioneer. He was a mentor, a gentleman and a generous spirit who left a lasting mark not only through his technical brilliance but also through his kindness and encouragement.
Beall, who died July 24 at age 91, was a friend and mentor to generations in the plastics industry — including young engineers 70 years his junior. It was a joy to watch him connect with the next generation of plastics talent at events like SPE Antec.
He surprised attendees at Antec 2024 in St. Louis with a 40-minute technical talk during a symposium held in his honor. Rather than simply accept the recognition, he used the moment to keep doing what he loved: sharing knowledge and inspiring others.
Beall’s warmth extended far beyond the podium. At Plastics News, many of us remember the delight of receiving a note on his signature stationery — often handwritten, always personal. A card from Glenn felt like a real gift.
After PN reporter Bill Bregar died in 2020, Beall reached out to our colleague Frank Esposito with a heartfelt phone call, sharing wisdom about grief and reflecting on the loss of his beloved wife, Patsy, who had passed away just a few years earlier. It was a deeply meaningful gesture.
Bill was our resident plastics history buff, and Glenn was arguably the global authority, so of course they got along well. When Glenn was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame in 1997, Bill wrote his profile for PN. For many years, Glenn would send Bill clippings from newspapers and magazines about comic books, too. And after Bill passed, Glenn started sending those items to Frank.
Whether through a letter, a phone call or an unexpected invitation, Glenn Beall made people feel seen and valued. As Frank said, “We need more people like him — in this industry, and in the world.”
https://www.plasticsnews.com/kickstart/glenn-beall-plastics-pioneer-and-generous-spirit