Glen L Witt – Founder Of Glen L Marine Passes Away

Glen L. Witt in the 1950’s

We just got the sad news that Glen passed away. fellow Woody Boater Randy Mueller said it best. “I would guess that he got more people into boating than any manufacturer ever did — he made it affordable to those who could not have purchased a completed one.  He lived a good long life and must have had a whole lot of fun doing what he did for all those years! A lot of his boats are still on the water as a tribute to his skills in designing easy-to-build boats.” Randy Mueller.

Here is the official notification and a link to the memorial site from Gayle, Glen’s daughter who has been running the company for years.

Glen in the 1970’s

It’s with a heavy heart I announce that my father, Glen Lewis Witt, passed away on June 13, 2017. He lived until age 98 and we are so grateful to have had him with us that long. He founded Glen-L Marine in 1953 and will be remembered for the lives he’s touched all these years through the hobby of building boats.

Fellow Woody Boater Roberta’s amazing Glen L

I’m blessed to be able to continue his legacy here at Glen-L, but will miss his presence, support, encouragement and tremendous knowledge of all things boat building. We sincerely hope you’ll help us keep his legacy alive by building his boats as we continue to serve you.

Glen and Vera out in one of Glens amazing designs

The family is making plans for a memorial and we will keep you informed. In the meantime, you can make a comment and post photos on the memorial site we are building.

Gayle

You can visit the Glen L website here if you have never heard of Glen L, you may want to grab a cup of coffee and spend a bit of time, and clear a spot in your garage! Here is a small taste!

10 replies
  1. Bob from Mazeppa
    Bob from Mazeppa says:

    With the help of a local boat builder I built my first boat that I owned and paid for by selling hay and sweet corn. It was a the Glen L 14 foot sail boat. I was 17 and have always owned a boat since then. It was the start of an addiction to mahogany and varnish.

  2. Roberta
    Roberta says:

    I have been familiar with the Glen L name for many years. As a teen, I always had the interest in building a boat and looked in awe at the many designs offered in the Glen L catalog. Many years later I finally realized that dream and built my first boat, a 14 ft outboard runabout called the Zip. A second boat, the Super Spartan, was built for our grandchildren. But my real dream boat was the Torpedo. With the help of Glen and Gayle, the Torpedo came to life in 2015. It was a dream come true for both Glen and I. Fair well, Glen. We will miss you.

  3. Michael M
    Michael M says:

    I first stumbled across Glen-L about 6 years ago. I wanted a boat, but I couldn’t afford the boats I wanted — and I didn’t want the boats I could afford. I quickly realized I had a strong preference for the classic wood boats. Glen-L Marine assured me I could build such a boat myself. The project of building my first Glen-L boat was truly a healing process for me at the time, and I thank Glen for that. Over the years, I’ve gotten to interact with Gayle and the Glen-L family. They are truly fine people — a fine company, founded by an extraordinary man — and you just couldn’t ask for anyone better to be at the helm. RIP Glen. “Fair winds, and following seas.”

  4. Wilson
    Wilson says:

    I never built or had one of his boats but he certainly put a lot of people on the water…Quite likely there are angels using his patterns now.

  5. Troy in ANE
    Troy in ANE says:

    Sorry to hear about Glen!

    Got to meet Roberta on the St. Johns. Beautiful boat, great people, what more can you ask for?

  6. Michael M
    Michael M says:

    I first stumbled across Glen-L about 6 years ago. I wanted a boat… but not just ANY boat. I couldn’t afford the boats I wanted, and I didn’t want the boats I could afford. I had a definite preference for the classic wooden boats, and the Glen-L website assured me that I could build one myself. The project of building my first Glen-L boat was a deeply personal, restorative experience, and I thank Glen for that. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know Gayle and the Glen-L family a little more. They are fine people — a fine company, founded by an extraordinary man — and you just couldn’t ask for anyone better to be at the helm. Glen, one small piece of your legacy is now sitting on its trailer in my garage — it’s story, and yours, embedded into my family’s experience. Rest In Peace, sir. “Fair winds, and following seas.”

  7. Bill & Linda
    Bill & Linda says:

    Mr. Glen L. Witt designed his “Squirt” in 1954, I believe.
    This one got wet for the first time, 58 years later. It is Glen-L’s most popular boat today, we are told.

  8. Gayle Brantuk
    Gayle Brantuk says:

    Thank you WoodyBoater for posting this and for all of the kind comments. My dad truly made a mark on so many and we are overwhelmed with the kindness of each whose lives were touched by him in some way.

  9. Dale Brevik
    Dale Brevik says:

    I have Glen to thank for my boat named Candyman, built from the Monte Carlo plans. He was an inspiration to to my dream of owning a fine boat with classic lines.

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