Alvin A. Gloor
March 9, 1926 – September 9, 2020
Alvin “Al” Gloor, devoted husband and loving father of four children, entered heaven at the age of 94 on Wednesday, September 9, 2020.
Alvin was born on March 9, 1926 to Walter and Alvina (Ehlers) Gloor in Spaulding, NE. After graduation from Albion, NE high school, he served the United States in World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps. Following 1949 graduation from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, he married the love of his life, Eunice C. Williams, on August 7 and moved to Chappell, NE where Al taught science and mathematics and was high school principal for eleven years. Upon completing his Master’s Degree at the University of Michigan in 1960, Al and Eunice relocated to Omaha, NE where he taught and was mathematics department chair at Westside High School, retiring in 1991. His distinguished career included the 1984 National Science Teachers Association and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Presidential Award for excellence in Science and Mathematics teaching, and the 1990 Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics.
As a retiree, Al continued his passion for learning, and became a Douglas County Extension volunteer master gardener, a member of Kiwanis, a wood carver, and was able to enjoy many Elderhostel adventures with Eunice. He was a long time member of Rockbrook United Methodist Church where he taught Adult Sunday School and enjoyed the Sparetimers group.
Alvin is preceded in death by father, Walter Gloor; mother, Alvina Ehlers Gloor; brothers: Walter, Jim, and Jack Gloor; sister, Marilyn Jacobsen; and daughter, Kay Gloor Wegrzyn.
He is survived by his bride of 71 years, Eunice Williams Gloor; daughters, Kathy (Rick) Vranicar and Carol (Jeff) Peters; son, David (Mary) Gloor; son-in-law, David Wegrzyn; grandchildren: Anne (Mike) Utech, Mike Gloor, Katie (Quinn) Willet, Steve Gloor, Jason (Molly) Peters, Heidi Peters, Erica (Bhargava) Mullapudi, Scott (Rebecca) Vranicar, Erin (Dane) Berger, Brian Vranicar, Lynn (Brian) Foster, and Lara Wegrzyn; great-grandchildren: Aly, Jake, Camy, and Ethan Utech; Priya, Meera, Arya, and Arun Mullapudi; Micah and Audra Vranicar; Hannah Berger, and Micah Foster; sister, JoAnn Knapp; also many nieces and nephews.
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE Service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the family, or Rockbrook United Methodist Church, 9855 W Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68124 or Westside Foundation, 909 S 76th St, Omaha, NE 68114.
19 Comments
I was a first year teacher in the fall of 1963. Westside Community Scnools was gracious enough to give me a contract. Thus, Al Gloor was my math department head at Westside High School. Of course, as a first year teacher I “knew everything”!! What I remember about Al is that he was a quiet leader that allowed everyone to voice their opinions, but then I am confident that he knew where to place his teachers to best benefit the students. I will always be grateful for my teaching start at Westside Schools and admire them yet today!! My best to Al Gloor’s family and to those who are aware of his dedication to the students and parents in the Westside Community.
To Eunice and family:
Al was a wonderful Master Gardener. His approach, to the horticulture questions and the anxiety people sometimes brought with their questions, was a quiet kindness that imparted strength and validity to the gardening information he provided. We at Nebraska Extension are deeply grateful for the skills Al brought as a Master Gardener and appreciate his volunteer efforts. Thank you for lending him to us.
Please accept my condolences and prayers at this time. Al was a quiet leader at Westside and a man of great integrity. I had the privilege of working with Mrs. Gloor many times during the time I was at Westbrook Junior High as she was a highly favorite substitute teacher.
Al volunteered for me for many years as a Mater Gardener on the horticure helpline at the Douglas/Sarpy Co. Extension. His knowldege and calm demeanor were an asset to to peoplen with yard and garden problems, and to Extension staff. He was sorely missed when he retired from the program. He has not been forgotten
Please accept my condolences on the loss of a wonderful educator. I did not have the privilege of having Mr. Gloor as a teacher during my Westside years (1971-74), but I nonetheless remember him as unfailingly kind and welcoming to us students. I will remember him in my prayers and ask God to comfort all who miss him. -Fr. Jim Clifton, SJ
Al was Bob’s mentor for the Master Gardener program. Always looking out at each class for the chance to talk with him. He had a great admiration for him and it really added up to a great friend. Thanks for letting us borrow his expertise.
My sincere condolences to the family. I remember him as a quiet man and he had such grace I’m sorry I lost contact with the family.
What a wonderful teacher — so kind, patient, and smart. I am very thankful to have known him and learned from him.
The world is a better place because of Al Gloor. We will never forget the great friendship that Al & Eunice offered to Bob and Lottie over the years. And many of us are smarter and better at math too! With Love, from the Chantrys…Lottie, Rhonda, Caroline, Barb, Ruth plus granddaughter Melissa Nihsen…also a math student of Al Gloor.
Mr. Gloor was great in front of a classroom, and he loved being there. Rest in peace Mr. Gloor, and many thanks from all of the Luby children.
Mr. Gloor was the most inspirational math teacher I’ve ever had. Before his class, I had thought of math as a series of problems and answers. After his class, I thought of math as an inspirational way of thinking about the world around us. A truly life-changing individual. I am glad to have known him.
Ohhhh, Mr. Gloor
We’re here in the Math IMC right now here at Westside. We’re thinking about you and we love you. Rest in Peace.
Class of 1983 Westside Warriors
Mr. Gloor was truly inspirational to me, and opened up a whole new way of thinking. Thirty-two years later I still feel privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from him. He was simply the best.
What I remember about Al was his smile, his warmth, and his warm acceptance of students and staff. Besides that, he was a lot of fun.
Lisa and I are very sorry to hear of the passing of Al Gloor. Al was a great influence on my life as a fellow teacher at Westside, in his role of department head, and as a role model for all both in and out of school. His abilities to lead, capture peoples’ attention, and express himself were remarkable. He was always a man of great character. We express our sympathy to Eunice and other members of his family.
John and Lisa Graff
Lisa and I are very sorry to hear of the passing of Al Gloor. Al was a great influence on my life as a fellow teacher at Westside, in his role of department head, and as a role model for all both in and out of school. His abilities to lead, capture peoples’ attention, and express himself were remarkable. He was always a man of great character. We express our sympathy to Eunice and other members of his family.
John and Lisa Graff
So sorry to hear of Al’s passing and my prayers for his dear wife Eunice and family now and in the days ahead. He was an exceptional educator and always had a truly kind spirit about him. Even when teaching those of us who found mathematics a bit of a challenge (if I may). I am grateful and honored to have know him as an educator and family friend of many years. He was a special person and left an imprint on many lives over the years – may his memory be eternal.
Al (“Mr Gloor” then) was my mathematics teacher for several years of curriculum of Westside High School in Omaha Nebraska. He was one of only three teachers from K-12 that truly inspired me, enough so that I tutored LD students under his guidance for my junior and senior years. he is most definitely the reason i went on to do graduate work in mathematics and logic. He was a great teacher and his insights and passion made a lifetime impact on me.
The first year I studied under him he would arrive to class with a long white string drapewhod around the neck of his suit jacket. For months it was just there, undiscussed. One day we were puzzling through something that involved a circle. Al got this HUGE grin on his face and slowly… very slowly and deliberately so that all of us were paying attention… undraped this string from around his neck, walked over to the blackboard, held one end in the middle and with a piece of chalk in his hand holding the other end proceeded to draw a huge and PERFECT circle on the board. then without a word he returned the string around his neck and continued his analysis using the circle as part of his figuring. was perhaps the most prolonged setup for a bit i’d ever been exposed to at that point.
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