Glenn Woodruff

Glenn was born in Boston in November of 1945 and grew up in Belmont with his older sister Marilyn Fenter, who now resides in Marlboro Ma.

Glenn attended Belmont Hill School where he enjoyed Math and Science and played both ice hockey and football. After high school he completed a degree in fine arts at the University of Rochester and went on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School.

He continued on at Harvard, working in the placement office and writing cases for the Business School. Glenn loved process, technology and manufacturing. He was a true renaissance man and loved tackling a new problem. His passion was to find a better way to do everything. Whether it was installing a lift for a heavy kitchen mixer or designing the color codes that mark hearing aid batteries to this day, he always made it better.

After his time at Harvard, he moved on to corporate America. He joined Gould, then a large multinational, and spent several years managing various divisions for them as General Manager and Vice President. Leaving corporate America he set out on his own to solve the portable energy challenge. He earned 4 patents in advanced battery design. One of his proudest achievements was when astronaut Sally Ride wore his zinc-air battery into space. He went on to work with local companies as a consulting process engineer up until his retirement at age 73.

Glenn never met a stranger. All were welcome in his home, and that included numerous stray cats that found their way to his door. He was always ready to learn about others and share conversation and experiences. He was an avid traveler who recognized the power and strength of our world’s diversity. At the end of the day he was happiest at the dinner table with all his friends and family, a beautiful meal, a glass of wine, a side of puns, and an extra basket of quick wit.

For Glenn, the most important thing was the family he built. Glenn is survived by Phyllis, his loving wife of 34 years. His daughter Jocelyn Woodruff, wife Heather and grandchildren Celia, Tessa , and Greta. His daughter Jennifer Baldwin, husband Joseph and grandchildren Samuel, Aaron and Emma. Elizabeth Woodruff, beloved widow of son Morgan. Son Jack Merry. His former wife, Susan Merry. Daughter Alyson Jarvis, husband Gregory and grandchildren Eden and Lowell.

Glenn will be cremated and his ashes preserved within sight of his home, some of those ashes will be taken into space by Celestis in December of this year and will be left to orbit the earth.

A celebration of Glenn's life will be held later in 2026.

If you wish to leave a tribute in Glenn’s name, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation .