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ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø mourns the loss of longtime trustee and university friend Paul E. Glaske, 81, of Flint, Texas, who died this morning at his home, surrounded by his family. Funeral arrangements are pending.

"The ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø we know today was built with the wisdom and leadership of Paul Glaske," said LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford. "His passion for the potential of the university was unmatched."

LETU Trustee Patrick Bertsche, chair of the LETU Board of Trustees, said he is grateful to God for allowing him to know Glaske.
"Paul has been a strong encourager, faithful prayer supporter, Christlike role model, the mold for generosity and a rock star businessman," Bertsche said.
Glaske served on the LeTourneau College Board of Trustees since 1975, and served as chair of the board from 1988 to 1999, then later as treasurer during his service to the university.

The Paul E. Glaske Center for Engineering, Science and Technology on the ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø campus in Longview, dedicated in 2001, is named in honor of Paul and his wife, Jackie.

In 2006-2007, he served as the chair of the LETU Presidential Search Committee and in 2010, he served on the Trustee Committee for the Strategic Plan. In 2011, he served as executive chairman of LETU's $27.5 million "For Such A Time As This" fundraising campaign.

"If there were ever a person who epitomized the concept of a godly man it was Paul Glaske," said LETU trustee Bud McGuire. "He was not only a godly man, but a godly man who was a giant in the business world, living out his faith in his work place."

A native of Benton Harbor, Mich., Glaske earned his bachelor's degree from Bob Jones University in 1958 and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He began his business career with Standard Oil Company in Park Forest, Ill.

He first came to LeTourneau College in 1963 to serve as business manager and then was named vice president for business affairs. In 1968, he was named vice president of administration for R.G. LeTourneau, Inc. a position he held until 1971 when he was named president of the Longview division of Marathon LeTourneau Company where served overseeing operations until 1986. In 1977, he was named Outstanding Longview Citizen.

From 1986 until his retirement in 1999, Glaske was CEO and Chairman of Blue Bird Corporation of Fort Valley, Ga., the nation's largest manufacturer of buses.
During this time the college became a university and it experienced great growth in enrollment, programs and in campus facilities. New educational centers were established throughout Texas. For his outstanding spiritual commitment, leadership and service, the university awarded him the Doctor of Laws degree on May 6, 2000. In 2007, he was honored with the university's Henry O. Gossett Jr. Community Partner Award.

Glaske believed involvement in business, politics and civic affairs to be vital to success as an individual, community, state or nation. Glaske served as chair of the Good Shepherd Medical Center Board, president of the Longview Chamber of Commerce and as chair of the Texas Association of Business. He was a member of the board of Texas Association of Taxpayers and a member of the Governor's State Job Training Coordinating Council. He also has served many other organizations and boards including the YMCA, Pine Cove Camps, the Civitan Club, and United Way.

Glaske is survived by his wife, Jackie, and three grown children and several grandchildren.