Obituaries
Obituary for Glen Barton
Peoria-Glen Barton, age 77, of Peoria, passed away at 2:09 am on Monday, October 24, 2016.
Born August 20,1939 in Alton, Missouri, he was a son to Albert Lee and Jessie Eugenia Smith-
Barton. Glen graduated in 1961 from the University of Missouri with a civil engineering degree.
Following college, he began his career at Caterpillar and had a global career with the company.
Glen worked for Caterpillar until his retirement as Chairman and CEO in 2004.
He led Caterpillar to focus on safety and was a driving force of 6 Sigma which focused on
improvement to product quality and customer satisfaction. Glen was also behind the creation of
the National Mining Association. He was a tireless champion for education and supported the
formation of "Common Ground" which was Caterpillar's educational program created for school
children. Today, building upon Glen's vision, Caterpillar is recognized as a symbol of quality,
education, and service.
Internationally, he was inducted into the Order of British Empire (OBE), served as President of
the export council (GWB) 2005-2006, and was a board member for the Malcolm Baldridge
National Quality Award.
Glen was awarded the University of Missouri Honor Award for Distinguished Service in
Engineering in 1999. He was on the Bradley Board of Trustees for 2 terms and was Chairman of
the Board from 2000-2002, as well as on the Eureka College Board. Glen was inducted into the
National Mining Hall of Fame, a part of the American Mining Association Board of Directors,
Member of the Business Roundtable and Business Council, Chairman of CONEXPO/MINEXPO
for over ten years, and Chair of the Manufacturer's Association (CIMA) and National Mining
Association.
Locally, Glen chaired the Capital Campaign for the Red Cross, Co-chaired the Capital
Campaign for WTVP, and was awarded the Robert Michel Award for Lifetime Achievement by
the Creve Coeur Club. He was nominated as a Local Legend and was the Founding Director of
Quest Charter Academy.
Glen truly believed in and was committed to the Peoria community, especially in education,
recreation, and the arts. He was also a major advocate for health care charities. Glen donated
to many major local infrastructures including the local Red Cross Chapter building, the WTVP
Digital Conversion and their new building, the Riverfront Museum, Glen Oak Park, mainly Africa,
the Barton Pavilion and Children's Playhouse, OSF Hospice, UNICOMP Cancer Center, Pere
Marquette Hotel, and River Trails Apartments.
Glen believed in a hard work ethic and was very proud of his roots as a farm boy. His belief was
that he was who he was because of where he came from. He was a loving husband, father,
grandfather, and brother who was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
On July 30, 1993, Glen married Phyllis "Polly" Hayes in Vista, California. He is survived by his
wife, Polly of Peoria; four children, Jennifer (Brian) Dieter of Ames, Iowa, Jeffery (Susan) Barton
of Wilmette, IL, Angela Hamernik of Plainfield, IN., and Amy (Tim) Samons of Fishers, IN.; nine
grandchildren, Rachel, Abby, Noah, George, Madison, Parker, Morgan, Tyler, and Brady; one
sister, JoAnne Barton of Blacksburg, VA; and one brother, Howard Earl (Judy) Barton of
Jacksonville, Fl.
Glen was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, C.Dean Barton, and one still-born
grandchild, Tanner.
Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be a private memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Glen's memory may be made to a charity of the donor's
choosing.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto
www.wrightandsalmon.com
Read More
Born August 20,1939 in Alton, Missouri, he was a son to Albert Lee and Jessie Eugenia Smith-
Barton. Glen graduated in 1961 from the University of Missouri with a civil engineering degree.
Following college, he began his career at Caterpillar and had a global career with the company.
Glen worked for Caterpillar until his retirement as Chairman and CEO in 2004.
He led Caterpillar to focus on safety and was a driving force of 6 Sigma which focused on
improvement to product quality and customer satisfaction. Glen was also behind the creation of
the National Mining Association. He was a tireless champion for education and supported the
formation of "Common Ground" which was Caterpillar's educational program created for school
children. Today, building upon Glen's vision, Caterpillar is recognized as a symbol of quality,
education, and service.
Internationally, he was inducted into the Order of British Empire (OBE), served as President of
the export council (GWB) 2005-2006, and was a board member for the Malcolm Baldridge
National Quality Award.
Glen was awarded the University of Missouri Honor Award for Distinguished Service in
Engineering in 1999. He was on the Bradley Board of Trustees for 2 terms and was Chairman of
the Board from 2000-2002, as well as on the Eureka College Board. Glen was inducted into the
National Mining Hall of Fame, a part of the American Mining Association Board of Directors,
Member of the Business Roundtable and Business Council, Chairman of CONEXPO/MINEXPO
for over ten years, and Chair of the Manufacturer's Association (CIMA) and National Mining
Association.
Locally, Glen chaired the Capital Campaign for the Red Cross, Co-chaired the Capital
Campaign for WTVP, and was awarded the Robert Michel Award for Lifetime Achievement by
the Creve Coeur Club. He was nominated as a Local Legend and was the Founding Director of
Quest Charter Academy.
Glen truly believed in and was committed to the Peoria community, especially in education,
recreation, and the arts. He was also a major advocate for health care charities. Glen donated
to many major local infrastructures including the local Red Cross Chapter building, the WTVP
Digital Conversion and their new building, the Riverfront Museum, Glen Oak Park, mainly Africa,
the Barton Pavilion and Children's Playhouse, OSF Hospice, UNICOMP Cancer Center, Pere
Marquette Hotel, and River Trails Apartments.
Glen believed in a hard work ethic and was very proud of his roots as a farm boy. His belief was
that he was who he was because of where he came from. He was a loving husband, father,
grandfather, and brother who was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
On July 30, 1993, Glen married Phyllis "Polly" Hayes in Vista, California. He is survived by his
wife, Polly of Peoria; four children, Jennifer (Brian) Dieter of Ames, Iowa, Jeffery (Susan) Barton
of Wilmette, IL, Angela Hamernik of Plainfield, IN., and Amy (Tim) Samons of Fishers, IN.; nine
grandchildren, Rachel, Abby, Noah, George, Madison, Parker, Morgan, Tyler, and Brady; one
sister, JoAnne Barton of Blacksburg, VA; and one brother, Howard Earl (Judy) Barton of
Jacksonville, Fl.
Glen was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, C.Dean Barton, and one still-born
grandchild, Tanner.
Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be a private memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Glen's memory may be made to a charity of the donor's
choosing.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto
www.wrightandsalmon.com
Events
Event Information
Services are private.
Memorial Contribution
Donor's Choice
Loading...