Colonel Glenn Lee Wagner, USMC (ret)

Colonel Glenn Lee Wagner, USMC (ret), 69, Wyomissing, reported for his final deployment on May 6, 2023.  He was the husband of Dawn E. (Moyer) Wagner and son of Sara R. (Weller) Wagner and the late Fernley R. Wagner Jr.

Col. Wagner was born on July 13, 1953 at the former Valley Forge Military Hospital, Phoenixville.  He was a 1971 graduate of Boyertown Area Senior High School, on the cross country and track teams, setting several records.  In 2016 he was inducted into the Berks County Sports Hall of Fame.

Col. Wagner began his service to the Corps in 1971 when he enlisted and served at Cherry Point, NC.  In 1976 Sgt. Wagner left the Corps and enrolled at Pennsylvania State University.  In 1979 upon graduation, he was commissioned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

Col. Wagner served in many leadership and staff roles during his career in the Marine Corps. This included deployments to Okinawa, Beirut, Operations DESERT STORM and DESERT SHIELD.  His first role was as a platoon commander with 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion (Bn) in Okinawa. After his return to the states, he was a Platoon Commander with 2nd Amphibian Assault (AA) Bn at Camp Lejeune and was subsequently selected as the Aide-de-Camp to the Asst. Division Commander, 2nd Marine Division. Col. Wagner then served as a platoon commander with 2nd Reconnaissance Bn. After Career Level School, he returned to 2nd AA Bn, where he served as Commanding Officer A Company, He was then assigned to Manpower at Headquarters Marine Corps and then to the National Military Command Center, Joint Staff. His next assignment was Commanding Officer of the 3rd AABn, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. After Top Level School, Col. Wagner became the Head of Enlisted Assignments, Headquarters Marine Corps, Quantico, VA. He subsequently was assigned as the Commanding Officer, Headquarters Bn, and Base Commander, Camp Smedley Butler, Okinawa, Japan. Returning to the States, he was selected as the NROTC Commanding Officer/Professor of Naval Science, Villanova University and the University of Pennsylvania prior to retiring in 2008.

Upon retirement, he kept busy with a variety of home projects, both his and family members.  He volunteered at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles and served on the board.  Col. Wagner also drove school buses for Quigley Bus Service.  He enjoyed the elementary students and would often share stories.

His quick wit and funny story telling, discussion of books, philosophy and life events will be in our memories and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife, mother, daughter Stacy (James) Wagner Leach.  He is survived by siblings, Jay (Yvonne), Lynn Burkett, Dawn (Keith) Leister, Craig (Andrea) and Jill Stahre.  He is also survived by nieces, nephews, brothers in arms, Marine Corps family and his close childhood friends.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 26 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1749 S. Main Street, Bechtelsville, PA. Visitation will start at 10:00 and service to follow at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Marine Corps Foundation, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, VA. 22172.  marineheritage.org  or to Marine Corps Association, 715 Broadway St., Quantico, VA. 22134. mca@mca-marines.org