Glenn Bernard Eklund

GLENN BERNARD EKLUND With the core belief that Faith, Family and Friends are one’s pillar of strength Glenn leaned on his Faith and was supported by his Family and Friends as he fought a short battle with Leptomeningeal Metastatic Melanoma. He took his last bicycle ride to Heaven on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Glenn Bernard Eklund was born July 15, 1953 in Seattle, Washington to Chester Bernard and Virginia Miller Eklund. Glenn spent his young childhood in Seattle, the family then moved to Richland, WA where he completed his schooling, graduating in 1971 from Columbia High School, Go Bombers! He attended Columbia Basin College and went on to graduate from Eastern Washington University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. His teaching career started in 1977 at Goldendale Middle School where he met and fell in love with his teaching partner, Rita Hand. They were married in June and continued to teach together for 10 years. He coached basketball, track, and cross country leading the Goldendale Timberwolf runners to many state competitions. In 1985, their daughter Nettie Rae was born. In 1987 Glenn was hired by the Kelso School District to design and implement the Elementary PE program; there in 1990 their son Clark Elis was born. During his time in Kelso, he completed his Masters degree in Curriculum at the University of Portland. Opportunity knocked in 1991 when Glenn and Rita accepted teaching jobs in the Central Kitsap School District. Glenn spent the rest of his career teaching Physical Education at Cougar Valley Elementary. Thousands of students were motivated to share in his passion for physical activity through, Jump Rope for Heart, Unicycling, Pumpkin Runs, Sock hops, Hoe Downs and Disco dances, Circuses, Running Club, Climbing Club and “Glenn’s Way” of making fitness fun. Throughout his tenure he was awarded the PTA Outstanding Educator and Golden Acorn awards. Glenn’s legacy at Cougar Valley was acknowledged when the school gym was dedicated to him upon his retirement in 2008. Never one to be idle, Glenn began a new career inspiring and mentoring PE teachers across the United States in his position as a Curriculum Trainer with Focused Fitness. He continued passionately teaching and influencing educators until this disease disrupted his life long mission. “Glenn’s Way,” goes beyond just curriculum and motivation, it instills the individual belief that one is the champion of their own health and way of life. Glenn is survived by his wife of 39 years Rita, children Nettie Koviak (Tom), Clark (Mari), Grand daughter Ruby Rae Koviak; Siblings, Carol Eklund, Judith Palmer and Michael Eklund. Glenn is also loved and adored by his in-laws: Walter Hand, Ellen Carr and Dolly Hand, nieces: Jennifer Wright, Jessica Jenness, Jennifer Albrecht, Lisa Davison, Tina Albrecht, Sara Gorski, nephews:Aharon Eklund, Oliver Hand, and the numerous people who call the Eklund household home. In lieu of flowers honor Glenn by making contributions to the Fred Hutch Obliteride where team “Glenn’s Way” will be led by Clark Eklund and Tom Koviak. Please donate or join the ride on August 13. http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/goto/glenns-way