WILMINGTON — Robert T. “Bob” Glenn, age 80, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, NC, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Bob was born on September 17, 1945, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Tom and Helen Glenn. He later grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he attended Myers Park High School. After high school, Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968. He was honorably discharged after his shelter was attacked and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice.
Following his military service, Bob earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from North Carolina State University in 1971. He went on to build a distinguished career as a commercial real estate appraiser spanning nearly 50 years. Bob achieved the MAI and AI-GRS designations from the Appraisal Institute—the highest professional recognitions in his field—and worked actively until his retirement in 2016. He was widely respected for his integrity, expertise, and commanding presence, leaving a lasting impression on colleagues, clients, and peers throughout the profession.
Bob was married to Debra Adams until 1989 and he is survived by their two sons, Barron T. Glenn and Daniel C. Glenn. Barron and his wife, Taylor Glenn, are the parents of Walker (7) and Corinne (10), and Daniel and his wife, Nicole Glenn, are the parents of Eva (10) and Willa (8). Bob took immense pride in his family and considered fatherhood one of his greatest accomplishments.
Larger than life in both presence and personality, Bob was someone you never forgot. Whether you liked him immediately or not, you remembered him. He was sharp, witty, and genuinely hilarious, delivering one-liners with perfect timing. Bob believed firmly that things should be done “his way,” and everyone knew it—but he also treated people with respect and expected his sons to do the same. He taught his children how to be good men: strong mentally and physically, confident, disciplined, and respectful of others.
Bob loved Porsche 911s, hunting and fishing with his sons and friends, and always having the latest technology—even if he wasn’t entirely sure how to use it. One of the family’s favorite memories comes from a trip to Costa Rica, where Bob would randomly say “jammin,” whether or not reggae music was playing. It was simply his vibe. After Apple introduced iCloud, Bob liked to joke that he was “in the cloud,” and his family now finds comfort knowing that he truly is—free from pain and suffering.
Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018 and remained active and engaged until a sharp decline in late 2025. Throughout his illness, he showed resilience, determination, and strength, supported by family, friends, and compassionate caregivers.
A Celebration of Life honoring Bob will be held on January 31, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at Dockside Restaurant, 1308 Airlie Road, Wilmington, NC 28403. All who knew Bob are welcome to attend and share memories of his life.
Bob had a lifelong habit of helping others and was especially passionate about supporting veterans. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations in his honor to organizations Bob cared deeply about, including the Purple Heart Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, The Nature Conservancy, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
From the family:
We are heartbroken to lose our father, grandfather, and friend, but deeply grateful for the life he lived and the lessons he passed on. Bob taught us how to be strong, how to stand our ground, how to work hard, and how to treat people with respect. His humor, confidence, and unmistakable presence will live on through his children and grandchildren. Thank you to everyone who loved him, supported him, and walked alongside our family during this journey. We would especially like to thank our caregiver team in the final chapter—Alicia, Marsha, Melissa, Dawn, and Karen—who were truly angels sent from heaven.
