Honoring Gene Glick

Veteran, developer, philanthropist

By Leah Etling on Oct 8, 2013 in People | 1 Comment

He was a member of the Greatest Generation who exemplified its values so wholly that Tom Brokaw featured him in the definitive book by the same name.

His success in real estate development changed and improved the state of Indiana post-World War II, but that success never went to his head. He and his beloved wife, Marilyn, gave away several fortunes to improve the lives of others and make their state a better place.

Yardi would like to recognize and honor the legacy of Eugene Biccard Glick, who passed away in Indiana at age 92 earlier this month.

Glick leaves behind not only his family and apartment management company, Gene B. Glick Co., but a legacy of community service and philanthropy.

According to his official obituary, he and Marilyn established the Eugene & Marilyn Glick Family Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the state, in 1982. They funded the Glick Eye Institute at the Indiana University School of Medicine, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the Indiana Authors Award, and projects in arts, education, public health, and aid organizations throughout the state.

The pair also established The Glick Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation and The Glick Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI).

One of Gene’s favorite philanthropic projects was the Pro-100 mentoring program, administered by the Children’s Bureau. Created by Glick in 1981, Pro-100 offers paid summer internships for disadvantaged youth.

As his business thrived, he gave even more back in return.

“Gene Glick was an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word,” said David Barrett, President and CEO of the Gene B. Glick Company.  “He started with very little and built a successful company that is respected throughout our industry.  He was an inspiration to many of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”

In World War II, Glick was an Army combat instructor and deployed to the front lines. He spoke German, a valuable skill that led him to serve as an interrogator. During one particularly intense moment of combat, he was face down in freezing water while shells flew overhead.

He later wrote in his autobiography: “I said to myself, how much worse can it be? If I survive, I’m not going to forget this day. Any time I think I’ve got it tough or things aren’t going well, I’m going to say to myself, ‘Glick, how does this compare to November 11, 1944?’”

His Army regiment was part of the liberation of Nazi concentration camps like Dachau. Glick’s photographs of the atrocities they discovered there hang in the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

When he returned stateside, he met and married his wife, and they began investing in real estate.

“He visited a home construction site and walked away realizing he wanted to spend the rest of his life moving earth, raising walls, and creating homes for families. He believed everyone, even those of modest means, deserved a quality home where they could live out their best dreams,” says his obituary.

His is an inspiring tale that encourages all of us to work hard, serve our country, and give back to our communities. You can read the full story of his life here.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Marilyn Koffman Glick. He is survived by his four daughters: Marianne Glick (Mike Woods), Arlene Grande (Thomas), Alice Meshbane (Andrew), and Lynda Schwartz (Mark). He is also survived by his many grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Yardi offers our sincere condolences to Mr. Glick’s family, colleagues and friends. He was truly of the Greatest Generation.