Leo Dale McGlothlin

Leo Dale McGlothlin, 85, passed away on April 11, 2024 at Providence Alaska Medical Center surrounded by family. He was born in Camas, Washington on February 22, 1939 and thought for a time that school closed each year because it was his birthday. He was a proud Boy Scout and could recite the Boy Scout Law and tried to live by it. He graduated from Camas High School in 1957. He served in the Army Reserves and attended Western Washington University for a year before Oregon Polytechnic Institute, the beginning of his career in architecture. He worked for two architectural firms in Portland and met his wife, Mary Ellen, soon after joining Broome, Selig & Oringdulph Architects. They married on July 18, 1964 and lived in a houseboat in Portland until they moved to Anchorage in 1966, following her family who had moved here earlier. Leo worked for Crittenden, Cassetta, Wirum and Jacobs and became vice president at Crittenden Cassetta, Cannon/HOK before becoming self-employed at Inlet Architects in 1977. He and Rob Balivet started McGlothlin Balivet Co. in 1982. Leo specialized in construction specifications and office management. Most of his work was in commercial buildings, schools and hospitals and much of his work at McGlothlin Balivet Co. was in the Lower Yukon and Lower Kuskoswim School Districts. He closed his firm in 2000 when he joined Koonce Pfeffer Bettis until his retirement in 2012. He was a Charter Member of Construction Specifications Institute where he served as President, Board Member and Membership Chairman. He was also a corporate member of American Institute of Architects and served as Director of the Alaska Chapter. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and held many positions of leadership for both East Anchorage and Girdwood UMC’s, as well as at the Conference level. He also served on the Boards of two condo associations. Leo enjoyed travelling and was able to see a large part of the world on many cruises and other trips. Leo is survived by his wife of 59 years, his daughter Stacie Johnson of Scottsdale, AZ; son Scott McGlothlin, his brother Gary in Belgium, 14 nieces and nephews, plus several great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Mary Kay Gant in Spokane, WA. He was a valued source of knowledge on many subjects and he will be missed for his kindness, wisdom, humor, and memory for details. There will be a Memorial Service at Girdwood Chapel on June 22, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Remembrances in his name may be made to Girdwood Chapel UMC, The Children’s Lunchbox or the Anchorage Museum.