Glenn Beall, a pioneer of rotational molding and plastics design, spent six decades advancing our field. He passed away on July 24, 2025.
ARM received an outpouring of memories after his death, which says everything about Glenn’s impact on the rotomolding community.
Thank you for helping us honor an industry icon.
I started my career in Chicago where I met Glenn at the NPE show . He was an expert witness for a company who had some rotomolded parts fail. I explained the process and he taught me design. We worked together over the years on many projects . We were both interested in learning our expertise which made us life long friends and business partner’s. May God bless him in heaven!🙏
– Phil Dodge, Rotational Molding Hall of Fame Member
Early on in the history of ARM, Glenn Beall offered to write a Rotational Mold Design Guide for ARM at no charge. I was shocked at this offer, but this was the type of gentleman that Glenn was. The Design Guide gave the rotomolding industry a lot of credibility and confirmed that the process could be used for more than just toys and tanks.
Glenn also nominated my father, Thomas J. Long, for induction into the Plastics Hall of Fame. I still believe that my Dad is the only rotomolder in the Plastics Hall of Fame.
– Pat Long, Formed Plastics, Rotational Molding Hall of Fame Member
He was a class act and a tremendous booster of the roto molding industry. I still have every one of his hand-typed notes he ever sent.
– Steve Osborn, Rotational Molding Hall of Fame Member
Glenn was my mentor in rotational molding, and I will always be grateful for the wisdom he shared with me. Despite being a true scholar of plastics, he was always kind, approachable, and generous with his knowledge. I still treasure two handwritten letters from Glenn—one he sent when my father passed away, and another when I was elected President of ARM. Those notes remain a reminder of his warmth, encouragement, and the genuine care he extended to those around him. For me, Glenn will always be remembered not only as an industry icon, but as a mentor and a friend who shaped my journey in rotomolding with patience, insight, and humanity.
-Conchita Miranda, CEO Miraplástek, Rotational Molding Hall of Fame Member
I still remember the day I first worked up the courage to introduce myself to Glenn Beall. I was a young engineer, eager to get involved with the Rotomolding Division of SPE, and someone told me I should go talk to Glenn. The thought alone made me nervous because Glenn was a well-known figure in the industry and I was just starting out.
I can picture it clearly. I walked across the room, rehearsing what I would say, and then tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around with a warm smile that instantly eased my nerves. In that moment the intimidating industry icon became a kind and approachable mentor. That conversation was the start of many others, each one filled with wisdom, encouragement, and genuine interest in my growth.
Years later, I still keep a handwritten letter he sent me, filled with thoughtful words of advice and encouragement. It is more than just a piece of paper. It is a reminder of the generosity and care he extended to me and to so many others in our field.
Glenn Beall will always be remembered as an innovator and leader in our industry. But to me, he will also be remembered as the man who took the time to make a young engineer feel seen, valued, and important. His influence on my career and character is something I will always carry with me.
– Dru Laws, BYU-Idaho, Rotational Molding Hall of Fame Member
It is humbling to read Glenn’s obituary and learn of the many contributions he made to the plastic industry during his lifetime. He entered the plastics world when it was in its infancy, when new polymers were getting developed and being used for the first time. Glenn became a technical expert in multiple processes, and he developed a great understanding of how best to design products with these new plastic materials. Glenn was instrumental in helping the Rotational Molding industry grow and broaden the use of this process to manufacture functional plastic products. Many years ago Glenn wrote the Design Guideline for the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM), which still exists in its original format today. Glenn contributed much to the Rotational Molding industry and was extremely active in ARM up until the last few years. In 1998 he was inducted to the ARM Hall of Fame. Glenn shared the wealth of his knowledge through training seminars that helped educate many. He was an iconic figure at ARM conferences, and was loved, admired, and respected by all who came in contact with him. He encouraged many within the industry to get involved and share knowledge with others. We will miss him greatly!
– Alvin Spence, Centro Inc., Rotational Molding Hall of Fame Member
I remember (through the eyes of a 25-26 year old engineer) a spirited debate the organically “erupted” at the ARM lunch meeting in Dallas Texas at the Grand Kempinski hotel where Glenn Beall and Tom Niland sparred over SPE introducing a rotational molding division. It was a classic Glenn Beall matter of fact, data driven, direct conversation with Glenn’s military delivery and discipline that won the day in my eyes. In the end both men were right and both the SPE & ARM coexisted and have thrived as each others advocates ever since. He also took the time to write me a very nice personal letter when I became President of Trilogy Plastics. Saying that Steve Osborn created a great foundation for success and that he was happy to see that I was the one Steve chose to carry it forward. Both great men Glenn will be missed.
– Daren Balderson
Glenn had a patience and an unbridled willingness to share with whoever really wanted to listen about all things Rotomolded. He loved our industry and enjoyed talking on subjects ranging from the simplest to the most complex. We have lost a colleague, a staunch promoter of our process and more importantly a friend.
– Ken Bather, Seljan Company, Inc
I admired Glenn for his commitment to the industry and for the time he spent mentoring others in the industry. He was a very knowledgeable and considerate individual. God Bless Glenn and may he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this most difficult time.
– Vince Costello, Diversified Mold & Castings
Many of us – myself included – likely owe our careers in the rotational molding industry to Glenn, as without his knowledge, passion for and advocacy of our industry, it’s likely it wouldn’t exist in its current, globalized and technically advanced state. Glenn was the most effective of ambassadors, with the technical and process-based credibility to earn instant respect, and the personal passion for the process to earn instant interest. He also possessed a personal kindness that couldn’t quite be concealed beneath his no-nonsense approach, and I sincerely appreciated the time and respect he offered me from my earliest days in the industry throughout our working relationship. A truly deserving member of our industry’s Hall of Fame, a passionate ambassador and promoter of the process, and a universally respected plastics industry professional. Thank you and Godspeed, Mr. Glenn Beall.
– Tom Innis, Xcelerant Growth Partners, LLC
My first book in Rotomolding was by Glenn Beall. I may not know him personally. But he had a deep insight in rotational molding. He was truly a pioneer in the field. May his soul rest in peace.
– Alongkorn Kanokboriboon, SCG Chemicals
Over many years, Glenn was a passionate champion of our rotomoulding research and development efforts and would often send us handwritten letters of support. I was fortunate to cross paths with Glenn numerous times at ARM and SPE events. In 1994, I traveled from Northern Ireland to attend one of Glenn’s rotomoulding training courses in Milwaukee. He packed an incredible amount of knowledge into that seminar, and I still dip into his book and the seminar notes to this day.
– Mark Kearns, Queen’s University Belfast
Glenn was always willing to listen and help solve any issues you brought to his attention. He was always open to new ideas and open to your suggestions as well.
– Tedd Mentink, Redline Plastics
I had the pleasure of interacting with Glenn at many in person education committee meetings held every year. He always had great input and due to his depth of knowledge and (broken record here because we all know this) decades of experience, he would guide us to where it “was done before”. The best part was he was always interested in growing this information/data and looking at new ways to update it or prove it out better. He had a thrust for growth and sharing of knowledge. I would even go so far as to call him the ARM Education Historian, having been present for so many of the past and current industry guides and educational works. He will be missed.
– Evan Silo, McLube Release Agents
Glenn’s wisdom, knowledge, and experience helped shape him into the man and leader that he was. Glenn was also a Mentor to me personally which helped me develop and grow my knowledge base on Polymers and Polymer Processing over nearly 40 years.
– Larry Whittemore, Stoner Inc.
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