A Galesburg man who spent his life in music and had close ties to the music departments of both Knox and Monmouth College passed away Saturday at the age of 94.
Glenn Gore worked as a piano technician around the area for close to 70 years. The Elmwood native dedicated most of his career to servicing pianos at Monmouth and Knox.
According to his obituary, “he knew each piano in each college by heart.”
Knox Professor of Music and Artistic Director Bruce Polay knew Gore well. He tells WGIL, Gore was a “staple” at Knox College and was “an asset to the community.”
“Glenn was the primary tuner in Galesburg for many, many years,” Polay says. “He came very well trained and his heart was in his tuning. He just loved the instruments like they were his pets.”
Polay adds that Gore was quite sociable.
“He just loved to talk,” Polay says. “He loved people and he loved to be a part of people’s lives in a way that was very positive. You always had long, extended, insightful and enthusiastic conversations with Glenn.”
Gore served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during both World War II and Korea. He was a recipient of a purple heart, two Bronze Stars and the Combat Infatry badge.
Gore was also active in the Galesburg community as a member of the American Legion, VFW, Community Chorus and the Vesper Masonic Lodge, among other pursuits.
