Glenn Robert Sebastian

Glenn Robert Sebastian – a 74-year-old native of St. Louis, Missouri and longtime resident of Mobile passed away at his home on Friday, March 11, 2016. Dr. Sebastian graduated from St. Louis University in 1963 with a B.S. in geography and a M.S. in geography in 1965. He completed his Ph.D. in geography at the University of Northern Colorado in 1977.

After serving as a park ranger and naturalist on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia in the mid-1960’s, he began his career as an educator at Indiana State University as a geography instructor. Dr. Sebastian joined the faculty at the University of South Alabama in 1967. He served as the chairman of the department of earth sciences from 1981 until his formal retirement in 2007. He continued to teach students as Professor Emeritus until 2013. He encouraged and inspired over four decades of university students in the study of geography. He was a legendary figure in the university’s academic history and is often fondly mentioned as a teacher and mentor whenever alumni gather to discuss their years at USA. In 1990, he received the Outstanding Professor Award from USA’s National Alumni Association and was also named Outstanding Faculty Member by Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Honor Society. He received the College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award for the 2006-2007 academic year and the college’s Outstanding Service Award in 2007.

Glenn was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church for 44 years and was a past president and active member of a local mystic society for 44 years. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, serving as a faculty advisor to the USA chapter for many years, and was an avid Jaguar, Crimson Tide and St. Louis Cardinals fan. He loved spending time with his family, especially his nine grandchildren. He also enjoyed working in his yard and caring for his plants, many of which he brought home from his numerous trips to national parks across the country. He traveled extensively with his family and students including trips to Europe, Hawaii, Australia, Mexico, the Caribbean and all over the continental United States.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Michael Sebastian. He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Darlene Vertesich Sebastian; daughters, Leanne Sebastian Oberkirch (Paul), Amanda Sebastian Johnson (Rick), Megan Sebastian Sparks (Jason), and Emily Sebastian Lomax (Matt); his cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Lindsey and John Riley Oberkirch, Benjamin and Ryan Johnson, Anna Grace and Brady Sparks, and Brooks and Olivia Lomax; sister, Mary Jane Richardson (Stan); nieces, Michele Olinde (Reuben) and Melissa Tola (Chris); brother-in-law, Patrick Vertesich; other relatives and a multitude of friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from Holy Family Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 11 a.m. with Reverend Mark I. Neske serving as celebrant. The family will receive friends at Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street on Tuesday, March 15 from 5-8 p.m. with the Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery West. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Glenn Sebastian Endowed Scholarship or the Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail Endowed Preservation Fund at the University of South Alabama, Office of Development, 300 Alumni Circle, DSB Building, Mobile, AL 36688. Condolences may be made at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com. Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606.