CWO3 Glenn I. Garchow, USCG-R (Ret.)
Michigan - Glenn I. Garchow, 76, of Sanford died Tuesday evening, February 6, 2007 at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. He was born September 6, 1930 in Saginaw, son of the late Theodore C. and Amy (Sheltraw) Garchow. He enlisted in the United States Marines during 1946, presumably under age, and worked as a combat engineer, 17th Marine, 1st Marine Division, in China, the Korean War, Alaska, and aboard LSM-459. Glenn left the Marines in 1952 and later that same year married Norene on November 8, 1952 in Saginaw. Glenn worked as a mechanic and raced hydroplanes. In 1959, he enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve. He left the USN-R in 1962 as a 2nd Class Engineman-Diesel. By 1966, Glenn and Norene had three children and Glenn started working for the City of Midland equipment garage. This job would lead him to the job of Director of Maintenance for Midland Public Schools in 1970. He would be promoted to Director of Buildings and Grounds before he retired in 1990. 1974 was the year that Glenn joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He enlisted as a 1st Class Machinery Technician. Being in the reserves he had served in many units, mostly in Michigan. Glenn had been stationed in Petaluma, CA: Station Saginaw River; Sault St. Marie; and the USCGC Mackinaw. He worked as an Engineering Petty Officer and Explosive Loading Supervisor. In 1983 he proudly became a Chief Petty Officer, and then advanced to Chief Warrant Officer in 1987. But what made him outstanding was his role as a Coast Guard Recruiter for the Northern District of Michigan. For 16 years Glenn recruited, during his free time, for the Coast Guard. Even while working a full time job and raising a family, Glenn traveled all over the state recruiting prospective Coasties. His aggressiveness supplied the Coast Guard with many quality recruits. Glenn retired in 1990, at the Soo, as a CWO3. The only reason he retired was because he turned 60. If it wasn’t for that, he would have served during the Persian Gulf War. In addition to his wife Norene, he is survived by his children: Gary (Bev) Garchow, USCG-Ret., of Midland, Jennifer Merrill and her friend Jack of Midland, Julia (Mike) Laviolette of Coleman, Steven (Rhonda) Garchow of Texas, 14 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his sister Greta Coon of Saginaw. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his granddaughter Misty Mae, sisters: Alvena Yahrmarkt, Doris O’Brien, Ruby Shaeffer, infant sister Luella, and his brother Theodore Garchow. Funeral services were Saturday, February 10, 2007 at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rev. John Seifert will officiate with burial in Poseyville Cemetery. Full military honors were presented by the United States Marine Corps and the Midland Area Veterans. Expressions of sympathy to consider are: Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the donor’s favorite charity.
02/18/07 Submitted by: Rick Wiles, MCPO, USCG, Active emcs404@yahoo.com
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