Glenn E. Romanek, Major, USAF (Ret)

A native of Moundsville, WV, and a long time resident of Akron and Kettering, Ohio, Glenn Romanek died on January 18, 2023, at age 91, in Fredericksburg, VA. He was a graduate of West High School, Akron, and a Fine Arts graduate of Ohio University Class of 1954, where he was captain of the Varsity Swimming Team. In 1995, he was inducted into the Ohio University Athletic Hall of Fame. An Air Force ROTC graduate, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. In 1955, he was awarded navigator’s wings upon graduating from Navigator’s Training at Ellington AFB, TX. In 1956, after receiving advanced electronic and nuclear weapons training at Mather AFB, Sacramento, CA, he served as a navigator on B-36 strategic bombers in the Strategic Air Command at Walker AFB, Roswell, NM. In 1957, after receiving further advanced training at Mather AFB, and B-52 bomber training at Castle AFB, Merced, CA, he returned to Walker AFB, as B-52 navigator. At Dyess AFB, TX, (1963 – 1972) he served as navigator and radar navigator/bombardier, continuing in that position at Minot AFB, ND (1973-74), responsible for delivering conventional and nuclear weapons, including programming and launching nuclear air-to-ground missiles on assigned targets.

Glenn flew 24-hour missions as a defensive measure during the Cold War and was on combat alert duty during the Cuban missile crisis. During the Viet Nam conflict, he flew 97 combat missions, from Anderson AF, Guam, and U-Tapao AB, Thailand. His awards and decorations include Master Navigator and several Air Medals for combat missions during the Viet Nam conflict. In 1960, he participated in the RAF Strike Command’s Bombing and Navigation Competition with SAC’s 6 BW (B-52) that won the Best Unit Award in Combined Bombing & Navigation, Best Crew Award in Bombing, and Best Crew Award in Bombing & Navigation.

Glenn retired from the Air Force July 1974. He taught Aerospace Science at high schools in Warren, and Mad River Township, OH (Walter E. Stebbins High School). He served on the Montgomery County Mental Health Board and was President of Ohio Community Support Program Advisory Committee, SW Region, to the Ohio Department of Mental Health.

Glenn was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Jean Elsie Crampton Romanek, also his ex-wife Elizabeth Wilhite, mother Madeline Howell Marvin and stepfather George Edwin Marvin. He is survived by his daughter Kimberly Lewis; sons Sean Alan and Neal (Janet) Romanek; grandchildren Alexander (Kerry) Lewis, Avery (Jesse) Meetre, Connor Lewis, Cara Lewis, Sarah Beth (Tim) Paten, and Vivian Romanek. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA later in the year. Condolences may be made on line to storkefuneralhome.com.