Glenn E Stoner

Glenn Stoner, 82, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away August 9, 2023, at home with his beloved wife of 60 years, Marlene, at his side. Glenn was born in Springfield, Missouri, to Glenn R. Stoner and Betty Martin and attended Rolla High School (class of 1958) where he rose to become Captain of the Football team. He developed many lasting friends including one who introduced him to Marlene, with whom he celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past December.

Glenn earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemistry from the Missouri School of Mines in 1962 and 1963, respectively, and his Ph.D. in Electrochemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. Glenn joined the Department of Materials Science in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia in 1968 and became a faculty member in 1973.

At UVA Glenn co-founded the Applied Electrochemistry Laboratory (AEL) with colleagues and lifelong friends, George Cahen and Louie Scribner in 1973. Under Glenn’s leadership, the Center has evolved into what is now one of the premier academic electrochemistry and corrosion research groups in the world. In one of the earliest projects, Glenn, George, and Louie developed a novel electrochemical process for disinfecting water, which resulted in five patents, and decades later inspired his son to use the process for the treatment of wastewater in low-income communities around the world.

Glenn advised and co-advised 23 Ph.D. and 46 M.S. students. In 1993, the National Capital Section of the Electrochemical Society awarded Glenn the Robert T. Foley Award in recognition of his accomplishments in the field of electrochemistry and corrosion science and his dedication to the education and professional development of his students. Glenn devoted more than three decades of leadership and service to the University of Virginia before his retirement in 2003.

In the early years of the AEL, Glenn pitched for the Maxwell’s Demons city-league softball team, a ragged group of students, faculty and staff who cared more about having fun and drinking beer afterwards than winning tournaments. While he enjoyed teaching and the occasional softball game, Glenn also had a love of fishing and the outdoors. Before his retirement, most weekends were spent fishing on the James River or sitting with Marlene on the cabin porch overlooking the river. After retirement, he would say to those of us who might visit, “retirees don’t fish on the weekends”.

He was a devoted father, grandfather and most recently great-grandfather. He and Marlene had three sons, Kevin, Brian, and Steven, all while Glenn was in graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania. Some of the more memorable moments occurred during the long walks Glenn and his sons would take along the railroad tracks that bordered their house on David Terrace in Charlottesville. Later when his sons had children of their own, Glenn and Marlene organized annual beach vacations for the entire family to Emerald Isle, NC. His grandchildren treasure the memories of crab walks in the dark, swims in the ocean, and card games together. When in Charlottesville, his grandchildren enjoyed climbing into Grandpa’s chair, where Glenn loved to read, tell stories, and occasionally nap. Glenn positively impacted the lives of so many from family to friends to students and colleagues.

Glenn is survived by his loving wife, Marlene; children, Kevin (Karen) of Chesnee, SC, Brian (Lee) of Durham, NC, and Steven (Lisa) of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Benjamin (Bobbi Jo), Michael (Rachel) and Cynthia Stoner; Mikayla, Jocelyn, and Jacob Stoner; great-grandchildren, Cole Stoner; Elizabeth Glenn Stoner; and brother, Clinton (Celia) Martin.

“Life is Good” – Glenn E. Stoner, one of his favorites sayings and attributed to his appreciation for the great life that he lived.

If mourners wish to honor Glenn, the family requests that you consider donations or gifts to one of the two organizations:

Pediatric Diabetes Research at UVA:

(In the comments/notes section type Pediatric Diabetes Research)

Hospice for the Piedmont:

675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300

Charlottesville, VA 22911