Richard Louis Glinski

Rich Glinski, an ecologist, biologist, ornithologist, humanitarian, author, editor, son, brother, father, grandfather. He had so much life to still live, knowledge to still give and field work to still be done. From his ongoing work with Caracaras, to the study of Gray Hawks, to the completion of his 2ndnovel, and his grown children and grandchildren he was very involved with, Rich left his daily affairs right as they were when Jesus called him home January 24th, 2025.

Rich was born on March 5, 1950, in East Chicago, IN to Mary Anne (Timko) and Ted Jack Glinski. He was the oldest of 6 children. The Glinskis moved to Tucson, AZ in 1968, during Rich’s senior year of high school where he attended and graduated from Palo Verde High School. He went to the University of Arizona, receiving his Bachelors degree in Wildlife Biology in 1972.He then attended Arizona State University where he was working on his master’s degree, under Dr. Robert Ohmart, as a Raptor (bird of prey) Biologist.

Some of his early studies took him to the Aleutian Islands, where he dove to study otters in frigid 2.7-degree Celsius water, and he got the opportunity to travel through South America, starting in Brazil, on a Jaguar Study following the Amazon River to the southern tip of Argentina, and returned up the west coast, “in a Toyota Gasoline” he’d say, even surviving on monkey jaw meat, that Rich traded for a knife. Either adventure, he was always more interested in the bird of prey around him. For his Masters Project, he did a Raptor Study, and piloted a “Cessna 182” plane over almost all the creeks and rivers in AZ. He was mapping the Raptor’s nests throughout the state, then he would return to the nests and climbed the trees with his crew to band the chicks to follow their life cycle. In 1979, returning from South America, he married Patricia Conley (Glinski) and both biologists joined The Game and Fish Department, where Rich started as a Game Specialist and became the Research and Non-game Program Manager. The couple moved from Mesa to Wickenburg AZ in 1982. They played a major part in creating the Hassayampa River Preserve, the Cottonwood/Willow Forest and above-ground spring in Wickenburg in ‘85. That same year his daughter was born and fatherhood suited him. A few years later his son was born and they remember family outings in the G&F patrol vehicle and camping, as their dad enriched their lives in any way he could, he loved teaching them all about wildlife. In the 90s, though the marriage ended, he stayed in Wickenburg, close to his children and was at every sporting, school, horse, or musical event they had always supporting them in all they did. He attended Wickenburg Community Alliance Church and was an Elder under Robert Goldenberg and best friends to Paul Harn. He co-wrote and was editor for 3 top Birds of Prey books: “Southwest Raptor Management Symposium and Workshop”, “The Raptors of Arizona”, and “Birds of Prey in the American Southwest”. He retired in 2000 from the Game and Fish department after 20 years, he went on to create “Land Options”, preserving our most wonderful desert lands for all future generations to come. He went onto work for the Maricopa County Parks, as director of the Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant. There he spent 15 years enriching and building up employees, schools, scouts, and any group of people that would attend a program or use the facility. Rich’s love for the southern AZ grasslands took him back down to Arivaca upon his retirement in November 2016, to the haven where he used to study Grey Hawks in the 70’s. Fittingly, the Grey Hawks, which were thought to be endangered in the area, soon came to his property and started to nest close by. Rich spent the last 9 years being semi-retired, but definitely not stepping away from the conservation or the study of birds. He went on many nest-climbs with the young biologists. They don’t do it quite as Rich did or would have, but he gave them his gentle guidance along the way. He always would rather be a teacher, trying to make a lasting impact to build up the next generation. His motto was to be curious to the why, instead of critical. Rich is a published author, His first, a novel Satan’s Crossing, When Walls Won’t Work, he also edited the Arizona Wildlife 2010 Trophies book, and 3 copies of the book” Counting Birds with Gale Monson” was sitting on his desk newly published, like he was going to sign them. Mostly he liked working on his home and sending videos to his grandchildren about a bug, bird, or deer that was in his backyard that he wanted to show them. They’ll forever remember their grandpa through those personal videos where he’d call out each of their names.

He was preceded in death by his, mother, Mary Anne. He is survived by his 98-year-old father, Ted (Euayne) Glinski; siblings, David, Jim, Alice, Fred, and John. He is also survived by his children, Hannah (Matt) Heineman, Harlan (Rachel) Glinski and 7 grandchildren (Adah, Jase, and Ruth Heineman. Harlan, Olanna, Hayden, and Harvey Glinski) plus countless friends.

2 important dates are as followed:

Memorial service will be held at

Adair Funeral Homes-Avalon Chapel

February 19th, 2025 at 11 am,

8090 N Northern Ave, Oro Valley, AZ 85704.

Flowers and good wishes can be sent there.

Celebration of Life with Game and Fish and county alumni. 2821 W. Colt Road Chandler, AZ 85224 March 15th, 2025 at 12 (shredded beef) lunch to follow. Donations will assist with the luncheon and any remaining funds will be distributed to 3 non-profits whose mission’s benefit Raptors in the western States. All donations should be made out to Rich’s daughter, Hannah Heineman and mailed to Tom Ohmart’s address above. If you plan to attend the Celebration of life, please RSVP to Tom’s email so he and Patty can cook enough grub to feed the masses. RSVP to [email protected] Please provide the names of those wishing to attend.