In Memoriam: Herbert William Glaser Jr.

Herbert William “Herb” Glaser Jr., who had a lifelong career in the elevator industry, passed away peacefully on August 31 at age 86 after a yearlong battle with acute myelogenous leukemia. Glaser, of Old Tappan, New Jersey, was the retired executive vice president (EVP) of GAL Manufacturing Corp. and retired vice president of Hollister-Whitney. Along with his late brother, Walter, Glaser held numerous leadership roles starting in the late 1960s when the Glaser family bought out GAL and Hollister-Whitney. He is remembered as a paternalistic figure who cared for employees and was well-liked by customers and peers. Herb Glaser Jr. led the companies through their largest periods of sustained growth. He was instrumental in both the 2004 decision to establish GAL Canada and, two years later, to purchase elevator door equipment manufacturer Elevator Components Industries of Mississauga, Canada. In the early 2000s, he kicked off the GALaxy microprocessor-based controller line, which would become GAL’s greatest growth product. With his brother, Walter, Herb Glaser Jr., was presented with the National Association of Elevator Contractors William C. Sturgeon Distinguished Service Award in 2003. “It’s almost impossible to think of Herb without Walter,” nephew Paul Seifried told ELEVATOR WORLD in 2018. Survivors include wife, Ann Marie; children, Lynne, Herbert III, Wendy and Brian John; dear friend, Rich; and 10 grandchildren.