GULF STREAM — Robert Eugene Glennon Jr. of Gulf Stream and Arlington, Virginia, died Aug. 7 at his home in Arlington. He was 75.
Born on April 23, 1948, in Bement, Illinois, the son of Robert Eugene Glennon Sr. and Martha Chapman Glennon, Robert worked his way through the University of Illinois, earning his bachelor’s in 1971.
A participant in the ROTC program, he joined the U.S. Army after graduation and achieved the rank of captain. Following his Army service, he enrolled at the University of Florida’s Levin law school, where he was a proud “double Gator,” earning both his JD in 1974 and his LLM in taxation in 1975.
Mr. Glennon, who often credited the law school with changing his life, later served on the UF Law board of trustees. In honor of his late wife, he also endowed the Helen Blechman Award, given annually to the graduating senior who has amassed the most pro bono hours.
After earning his LLM at Florida, Mr. Glennon served at the university as an instructor of tax law. Days before he was set to accept a full-time professorship at a Midwestern law school, the D.C. lobbying firm Williams & Jensen offered him an interview. He joined the firm in 1976, where he was mentored by the legendary Texas-born tax attorney and lobbyist J.D. Williams.
This role launched a near half-century career in legislative policy and strategy work and led to Mr. Glennon’s becoming a partner at Williams & Jensen and subsequently at the global law firms Mayer Brown and Hogan Lovells. He held the position of senior counsel with Hogan Lovells at the time of his death.
Mr. Glennon was involved in every major tax bill brought before the U.S. Congress in the last 45 years. He was distinguished for his legislative lobbying work around such complex issues as corporate tax policy, environmental, land and historic conservation, and legislation related to cancer and mental illness.
Throughout his career, he actively supported a wide array of local and federal electoral efforts and political candidates of both parties.
Mr. Glennon was consistently recognized by clients, peers and the national media as one of the preeminent tax legislative attorneys and one of the best lawyers in the United States.
He married Helen Blechman in 1983, and in 1986, the couple welcomed a son, Michael, to whom Robert was a loving and devoted father. Following Helen’s death in 1998, Michael and Robert formed an extraordinarily close bond that not only endured until Robert’s death, but also transcended generations and passed to his grandchildren, Helen (Ellie) and Lily.
A lifelong country music fan, Mr. Glennon was happiest in Gulf Stream, listening to music by the pool, or in Napa Valley, California, sampling wines with family and friends.
He is survived by his son, Michael (Anna), and two granddaughters, Helen and Lily, of Gulf Stream, as well as three siblings, Lorraine Glennon, Mary Glennon and Edward Glennon. A celebration of life will be held this fall in Washington, D.C., at a date and time to be determined.
Friends and family can honor his memory through a gift to the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where the family is establishing a scholarship focused on tax law. Donate at https://bit.ly/RobertGlennon (Robert Glennon in honoree line) or via check, noting its purpose in the memo line, to Office of Development, Levin College of Law, 309 Village Drive, Gainesville FL 32611.
— Obituary submitted by the family
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