TBDBITL Alumni Club

The Best Damn Band In The Land - The Ohio State University Marching Band Alumni

Glenn Kenneth Harriman

July 6, 1923 - April 28, 2015

Glenn Kenneth Harriman, 91, passed away on April 28, 2015. Sharp and witty to the end, his indomitable, yet compassionate spirit impacted the lives of those who knew him.

Glenn was born on July 6, 1923 in Columbus, Ohio to Whedon and Gertrude Harriman. Glenn first studied piano with his mother and continued his musical education on trumpet and later trombone at West High School. In 1940 he attended The Ohio State University. His studies were interrupted in 1943 to serve in The United States Army during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army he completed his studies at The Ohio State University, where he also marched in the OSU marching band.

Glenn's commitment to teaching was a driving force in his long career as an educator in the Columbus Public Schools. Over a span of 32 years he was director of orchestras and bands at South High, Franklin, Starling and Johnson Park Junior High Schools. He also served as adjunct instructor at Capital University, Denison University and Otterbein College.

In 1979 - 1980 The Harriman family was awarded "Ohio Musical Family of the Year". In 1996 he was elected into the Columbus Senior Musicians Hall of Fame.

As a performer Glenn played with a variety of diversified groups. He was charter member and principal trombonist with the Columbus Little Symphony which became the Columbus Symphony. He performed under the baton of Claude Monteux and Evan Whallon. He also played with the Muskrat Ramblers, Delta Rhythm Kings, Woody Herman, Vaud-Villities, The Kenley Players, the Springfield Symphony, Wheeling Symphony and Welsh Hills Orchestra among many others.

He was Pipe Major of the Capital City Pipes and Drums and founder of the Aladdin Shrine Pipes and Drums.

Glenn was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Eason Harriman (1984) and his second wife, Martha Bristol Harriman (2013); and his brother Wendell Ewing Harriman. He is survived by his four children, Jeff Harriman (Maggie) of Bexley, OH, Tom Harriman (Lois) of Los Angeles, CA, Bill Harriman (Bonnie) of Whitehall, OH and Janet Bierbaum (Karl) of Dillon, CO; nine grandchildren, Matt (Rachael), Mark (Ashley), John, Liz, Jordan, Julia, Ally, Andi, William and great grandson Carter.

Calling hours will be Friday, May 8 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Schoedinger Midtown Chapel, 229 E. State St. Funeral services will be held 10 am Saturday, May 9 at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad St. with Rev. Ann Palmerton officiating. Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sepulveda VA, Hospice Unit, 16111 Plummer St., Building 99-Room G57a, North Hills, CA 91343 or National Church Residences Livingston Ave. Branch, 3341 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43227.

Glenn played trombone as a marching band member from 1940 through 1943 and in 1945. His son, Jeffrey, and grandson, Matthew, were also marching band members.