Ralph O. Glendinning, businessman and philanthropist, who is acknowledged as starting the first marketing promotion company in the world, passed away on Thursday January 5th at his home on Jupiter Island, FL. He was 93 years-old.
Mildred Ann Glendinning, his wife, stated that the cause was cancer.
Mr. Glendinning founded Glendinning, Co. in 1960. He served as chairman and major stockholder of Glendinning Companies, headquartered in Connecticut, London, and Paris, which was, at one time, recognized as one of the foremost marketing and promotional consulting firms in the world. Glendinning, Co. conducted marketing and consulting for over 250 major companies including General Foods, Lever Brothers, Ogilvy & Mather, and H.J. Heinz. David Ogilvy wrote, “When it comes to sale promotion, Ralph Glendinning is a true genius.” A number of marketing spinoffs came out of Glendinning, Co. including the Marketing Corporation of America, Connecticut Consultants, and Ryan Partnership. He was one of three charter members inducted into the Promotion Marketing Hall of Fame in 1979. Mr. Glendinning was awarded the American Marketing Association Spire Award for outstanding contributions to sales promotion in 1989 and the Council of Sales Promotion Hall of Fame Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1992.
Mr. Glendinning began his professional career in 1948 in the marketing department of Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, OH in positions of increasing importance in the brand and promotional areas.
Mr. Glendinning co-founded MBI, Inc. in 1969. Its divisions included the Danbury Mint, the Postal Commemorative Society, Easton Press, and The Heritage Book Club. He retired in 1985 from Glendinning Companies but continued working in a variety of endeavors including searching for the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, authoring several best-selling novels, and becoming Director of AVX Aircraft Company in 2009.
Mr. Glendinning had extensive military aviation experience which leant itself to his business ventures. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, seeing action as a Combat Carrier Pilot in World War II. During that time, he flew 87 combat missions from the carrier Bunker Hill including during the Japanese invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. While flying over Myazaki, Japan, he was shot down and later rescued by the Battleship New Jersey. Mr. Glendinning was a very faithful man and would tell the story that during the time he spent floating in the Pacific, he had a discussion with the Lord; He stated that if he were to be rescued, he would try to help the less fortunate in whatever way possible. He led his life holding up that promise. Due to being shot down, Mr. Glendinning was offered the Purple Heart, which he refused. He also received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, seven Air Medals, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Ralph Orton Glendinning was born on November 19, 1923, in Rahway, NJ to John Edward Glendinning and Mildred Potter Rowe (née). He was born dead in a stable with his umbilical cord around his neck. Luckily, his doctor resuscitated him; hence Mr. Glendinning’s claim of a lucky life!
Mr. Glendinning attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, on a full scholarship, for one year in Aero Engineering in 1941. After World War II, he attended Princeton University – B.A. School of Public & International Affairs graduating Summa Cum Laude. He attended Princeton on the GI Bill, while working seven jobs.
In 1945, Mr. Glendinning married his wartime sweetheart, Ruth Langmack, in Santa Barbara, CA. The marriage ended in divorce and she pre-deceased Mr. Glendinning.
Besides his wife, Ann, Mr. Glendinning is survived by his sons, Randall (wife, Susan) and Scott (partner, De Ann); a daughter, Jan Jackson; a step-daughter, Beth Collins; step-sons, Eric Collins (Yvonne), Robert Jackson (Megan), and Charles Jackson; nine grandchildren, Jeffrey Jackson, Amanda Glendinning, Brett Jackson (Alessandra), Jonathan Glendinning, Allison Jackson, Mackenzie Glendinning Ashton (Scott), Jacqueline Glendinning, and Phoenix Glendinning; five step-grandchildren, Ashley Collins Lee (Andrew), Leilani Collins, Gregory Smith, Trevor Collins, and Charles Beck; and two great step-grandsons, Zander and Zane Lee.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ed and Mildred Glendinning; brother, Bruce; sister, Ailene Dyer; first wife, Ruth Ellen Lamgmack Glendinning; send wife, Mary Jackson Glendinning.
While Mr. Glendinning spent a significant amount of time building considerate businesses, he really dedicated his life to helping others. He lived his life fulfilling his promise to God that he made that day on the raft in the Pacific.