Glenn Wilton Vandiver

Glenn Wilton Vandiver 88 of Mesa, AZ died Thursday January, 16th 2020 after battling post polio syndrome. He died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by loving family. He didn't want to be known as handicapped in any way or affected by same. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, January 27th, 2020, at Meldrum Funeral Home in Mesa. Burial will follow at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Memorial Donations may be made in his name to the non profit Summit Wellness Foundation 7310 N. 16th St. Phoenix, Az 85020. Tax I.D. 81-3071395. Glenn was born August 21, 1931 in Luling, Texas, the son of the late Matthew Leroy Vandiver and Velma W. West. On July 6, 1967 he married Barbara Jean Maroe and combined families with her five sons and his three children. Barbara, his loving wife and mother to 8, preceded him in death on January 5, 2010. Glenn spent his youth in Luling, Tx and Shreveport, La., where his love of inventing and engineering developed. He was an accomplished model airplane builder in the 1940's gathering national attention and competing against men more than twice his age. His career path led him to the military where he served in the Air Force and obtained the rank of Technical Master Sergeant Sgt in four years and later worked for Raytheon on the Hawk missile project. In the 1970's, Glenn joined in partnership to invest in and operate Big Surf in Tempe, AZ. With this career move and new mantra "Make Waves not War" Glenn moved his family to Tempe, AZ and was the General Manager and part owner for many years. There was not a problem big or small which Glenn was not willing to tackle and solve. He was also a man before his time, building an electric car from the ground up in the 1980's, racing it in the 1993 APS Solar & Electric 500. He invented and built the 1st concrete recreational water slide at Big Surf. His other accomplishments include designing and building a 2000 square foot multi level addition to his home, to accommodate a Wurlitzer 13 rank theater pipe organ from one of the Apollo theaters. It was brought in a U-haul to Mesa from New York, where he restored and installed it in the basement, main floor and 2nd story addition. His family and friends enjoyed many concerts in his home. He built a 4 ft telescope from scratch including grinding the 10" glass for the lens and using his foundry to pour and machine a frame. His interests and projects were many, he was always willing to help anyone who came to him with a problem or challenge. A common quote was, "no good deed goes unpunished", though it never stopped him from helping others. He is survived by his children, Matt Vandiver, Clark Vandiver, Monica Vandiver, Ron Maroe, Mike Maroe, Bill Maroe, Gary Maroe and Steve Maroe; 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Cemetery Details National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 N Cave Creek Rd Phoenix, AZ 85024 Loading map Previous Events Funeral Service JAN 27. 10:30 AM (MT) Meldrum Mortuary 52 N Macdonald Mesa, AZ 85201 [email protected] https://www.meldrummortuary.com Loading map