Nicholas Alexander Glaskowsky

Glaskowsky, Nicholas Alexander, 88, retired Professor Emeritus Business Management, Born August 27, 1928, passed away June 13, 2017. Non ceremonial Service under the direction of Denton Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Denton, Texas. Nicholas (“Nick”) Alexander Glaskowsky, Jr. died peacefully at home on June 13th, 2017. He was born on August 27, 1928 in Springfield, MA to Nicholas Alexander and Marion Norton (Cook) Glaskowsky. He graduated from Westifeld High School in 1944, and was accepted to Harvard College at age 16 where he earned his A.B. in Government and International Law. An adept public speaker, he lettered in debate. His love for sports and natural leadership skills earned him as assistant coaching position with the Harvard Crimson Men’s Basketball Team. He was a lifelong Boston Celtics fan. Spurred by a love of adventure and curiosity about the world beyond Massachusetts, Nick enlisted in the United States Army. In 1949, he shipped out to the Free Territory of Trieste (Italy). He was assigned to the Officer Personnel Office of the Adjutant General’s section at TRUST (Trieste United States Troops) Command Headquarters, the first peacekeeping force ever formed under the auspices of the United Nations. Responsible for the intake and assignment of hundreds of troops during his service, Nick realized his skill for organization and management. He credited his time serving his country with shaping his core principles of discipline, commitment, and perseverance. In 1952, Nick was honorably discharged with the final rank of Master Sergeant. Upon returning to the U.S., he enrolled in the MBA Program in Management at Stanford University. One evening, Nick attended a cocktail party and became enchanted by a certain Southern lady. U.S. Army Captain Elizabeth Pope was a registered dietician who managed the dining hall at Letterman Army Hospital. Nick proposed on Valentine’s Day in 1953, and they were married the following June at the Chapel of the Presidio in San Francisco. A devoted husband, Nick indulged Elizabeth in her love of beautiful things, and was her primary caregiver for her last 7 years until she finally succumbed to the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2015. They were married for 61 years. Nick completed his M.B.A. in Management in 1954 and his Ph.D in Management and Transportation Logistics in 1960. His son Peter was born in 1961; daughter Alexandra in 1963. Nick’s first faculty appointment was at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, where Nick served as a professor and associate dean in the College of Business. He was highly regarded as a “founding father” of the nascent field of transportation logistics and distribution management. This resulted in many opportunities for he and Elizabeth to indulge their wanderlust over the years as he consulted and led management seminars for companies including Pepsi-Cola, IBM, Univac, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Favorite destinations included Sweden, England, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. He frequently testified as an expert witness in proceedings before state and federal regulatory agencies with respect to motor carrier and airline transportation. He published over 45 books, monographs, and journal articles in professional outlets. In 1975, Nick took a position at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL where he was Professor of Management and Director of International Executive Programs. One of his proudest accomplishments was establishing UM’s Executive MBA Satellite Program at the College of the Bahamas. He travelled to Nassau and back to Miami 117 times. He was a stern, but giving mentor to his doctoral students. He received numerous awards and honors during his career, including the Distinguished Faculty Award, Outstanding Teaching Awards, and the Excellence in Published Research Award. In 1987, he was given the President’s Award for Merit from the Society of Logistics Engineers. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1992. Nick and Elizabeth moved to Thomasville, AL in 1997 where they made many wonderful friends. Always a scholar of history, Nick started a class entitled “History of the Bible” at Thomasville United Methodist Church. He continued his efforts to lower his handicap on the golf course and learned to play the handbells. In 2006, because of Elizabeth’s failing health, they moved to Denton, TX to be closer to family. They lived at Good Samaritan Lake Forest Village where Nick volunteered in the Village Store. They attended First United Methodist Church and belonged to the Bungalow Sunday School class where Nick enjoyed serving as a greeter and scripture reader. In 2016, he made a trip to Israel with his daughter, fulfilling a lifelong dream of seeing the Holy Land. Though hard work, routine, and productivity made him a success in his business, Nick ascribed to the familiar adage about the effects of “all work and no play”. He was an avid bridge and poker player. He never missed a Miami Hurricanes football game. He read the daily funnies and spy novels with equal enthusiasm. He loved fine wine and good company. He was passionate about music, made a mean cheese omelette, and rarely missed a chance to share a groan-inducing pun. Nick knew life was for living; and live it, he did. Nick was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth. He is survived by his son Peter Nicholas Glaskowsky of Carnation, WA; his son-in-law Clinton William Carter and daughter Alexandra Glaskowsky Leavell-Carter of Denton, TX; two granddaughters, Amanda Elizabeth Leavell and Mia Frances Leavell of Denton, TX; his sister-in-law Mary Pope Reed of Thomasville, Alabama; and his sister Tanya Strage of New York City, NY. A memorial celebration of life will be held on Thursday, June 29th in Cole Chapel at First United Methodist Church in Denton, TX at 10:00AM, located at 201 S. Locust St. Denton, TX 76201. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind (www.guidingeyes.org) or to First United Methodist Church of Denton.

Nicholas Alexander Glaskowsky

August 27, 1928 - June 13, 2017