IAM Mourns Former GST Eugene Glover

Former GST Gene Glover (top row, third from left) served in the U.S. Army Air Force over North Africa and Europe during World War II

The Machinists union lost a member of its own “greatest generation” recently when former General Secretary-Treasurer (GST) Eugene D. Glover passed away at age 86 from complications of diabetes. Glover served as GST from 1969 until 1987 and was instrumental in the creation, development and funding of the William W. Winpisinger Education & Technology Center in Southern Maryland.

Born in Jonesboro, AR, Glover grew up in St. Louis, MO, where he joined Local 688 as an apprentice machine operator for Universal Machine Co. In 1941, Glover enlisted in the Army Air Force and fought in North Africa and Europe, first as a mechanic and later as a B-26 gunner.

Eugene Glover, 1922-2009

After the war, Glover returned to St. Louis, and worked for McDonnell Douglas and became a member of Local 837. His career as an IAM representative included service as a business representative and General Vice President for the Midwest Territory before being elected GST in 1969. Following his retirement, Glover was elected president of the National Council of Senior Citizens, a position he held for five years.

“Gene Glover had a vision for this union that included a first-rate education facility that could train the next generation of union leaders while keeping alive the proud history of the American labor movement,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “That vision became the Winpisinger Center, where more than 60,000 IAM members have received an educational experience that is unavailable anywhere else. Gene will be deeply missed by those who knew him but his legacy and his contributions to this union will certainly live on.” Click here to read an obituary published in the Washington Post.

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