Glenn Birch
Glenn Birch, 69, of Butler passed away Thursday at Butler Memorial Hospital.
He was born March 16, 1943, in Butler and was a son of the late John G. and Delores M. (Lorenz) Birch.
Glenn was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam era, trained officers of allied countries, and spent considerable time as an advisor in the Congo, Liberia, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Glenn was an active member and an officer of American Legion Post 117, Butler. Most recently, Glenn was the Commander of American Legion Post 117 from 2004 until the time of his death. In 2011, He was awarded the Pennsylvania American Legion Commander of the Year.
During his 25 years of service to the American Legion, Glenn was elected to numerous offices at Post 117, accepted many awards and honors, established and chartered the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 117, and, as finance officer for several years, played a major role in both the fundraising and building of the new Post Home on Main Street in Butler.
During this time, he was actively involved in fundraising to support veterans at the VA Medical Center in Butler and many other community programs, was instrumental in establishing the Korean War Monument and the World War II Monument in Butler's Diamond Park, and helped many veterans and their families through difficult times.
In 1995, he originated the Butler Flag Project that began with 14 flags and now maintains over 70 American flags flying proudly in Downtown Butler. In 2003, he was named Butler County Veteran of the Year.
Glenn touched a lot of lives and enjoyed the many friendships he built over the years. He was a member of the Moose, Elks, Italian Society of Butler, Slovak Sokol Society, Brockway Sportsmen's Club, the Butler County Military Veterans Committee, AMVETS, American Legion Riders, and Sons of the American Legion.
Glenn also was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting, watching sports, an occasional trip to the casino and playing cards. He also cherished time spent with his family.
Surviving him are his loving wife of 46 years, Bonnie (Kaiser) Birch; two sons, Brian Birch and his wife, Martha, and Greg Birch; two granddaughters, Vanessa and Victoria Birch; his sister Donna M. (Birch) Bergbigler; and mother-in-law Dorothy L. Kaiser, all of Butler.
Glenn was proceeded in death by his brother C. Thomas Birch.
BIRCH— A private memorial service will be held for Glenn Birch, who died at 6:10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are suggested to “Operation Home Base,” c/o American Legion Post 117, 413 S. Main St., Butler, PA 16001.Arrangements are entrusted to the YOUNG FUNERAL HOME LTD., Butler.For more information, or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.youngfuneralhomes.com.
