Glenn M. Beach 1916- 1999
Glenn M. Beach (Red), was born in Medina, New York on January 20, 1916. As a youth, Red played around the Erie Barge Canal and swam in abandoned stone quarries in and near Medina. Beach’s artistic and skillful use of stone in his architectural work is traceable to his youthful experiences around the stone quarries.
His father, who became a building contractor, taught Red how to lay stone. He also taught him carpentry and house painting. From a young age, Red worked on his father’s job sites performing a wide range of jobs that constantly increased in difficulty and skills. He graduated high school in 1933 and was one of only eight people from his class to continue onto college. Beach went on to earn a degree in Architecture from Syracuse University in 1940, a five year program at the time.
Right after graduation, he worked as an Architectural Sales Representative for the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. His work brought him to Midland, Michigan to work on a project designed by Alden B. Dow. Dow was completing the house addition to his already- completed architectural studio. Beach worked on the project until its completion in 1941. Beach became an admirer of Dow’s work. Beach would later state that some of the purity of lines and use of planes in his own work came from Dow’s influence. He continue to work for Pittsburgh Glass until 1943 when he joined the Navy as an Ensign. By the end of his military service in 1946, he reached the rank of Lieutenant.
After the war, Glenn returned to mid-Michigan to briefly work in the architectural offices of Frantz and Spence in Saginaw, before joining Alden B. Dow, Architect, Mr. Dow’s architectural firm, in Midland. Beach would continue to work for Dow’s firm until he opened his own firm in Saginaw in 1948. Throughout his career, he designed numerous homes, businesses and schools in Bay City, Saginaw, Midland, Frankenmuth and across the state of Michigan. When asked what his favorite project was he stated, “If you put any faith in the credo that the thing that brings the most joy to the most people makes the winner, I’ll have to say the Saginaw Children’s Zoo is it.” Another favorite project was the remodeling of the Bavaria Inn in Frankenmuth in early 1970s’. Mr. Beach also served as president of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He passed away on August 1, 1999.