Harrison Randolph “Ran” Glennon III

YARMOUTH – Harrison Randolph “Ran” Glennon III passed away on Sept. 27, 2025, at 77 years young, after being diagnosed in July with brain cancer.

Born to Harrison and Dickie Glennon on Dec. 9, 1947, in New York, N.Y., Ran was raised in Riverside, Conn. He attended the South Kent School, graduated from Hamilton College, and earned an MBA from Boston University. Believing in duty to country, he took a leave from Hamilton in 1967 to enlist in the Army and serve in Vietnam. He was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, and then sergeant in a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol unit.

Fittingly, Ran met his future wife, Ann Gollon, at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Cardigan Lodge in New Hampshire. They were married in 1984 at the stone chapel long admired by Ran at the base of the Mount Washington Hotel. The minister commented that Ran was the first man he met who chose the church before the bride.

Ran had an extensive career in commercial real estate appraisal, culminating in owning Eastern Appraisal and Consulting in Portland. The consummate professional, he held several designations (MAI, AI-GRS, and CRE), and in 1995 was President of the Maine Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. He often served as an expert witness in court, and enjoyed unique appraisal problems such as peat bogs, ferry terminals, and air rights.

Active in his son’s Boy Scout Troop, Ran introduced boys to the rewards of time spent in nature. He embodied the “Be Prepared” motto, and led many a young scout across the Knife Edge on Katahdin, up Tuckerman’s on Mount Washington, or across New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch.

And then of course there is Ran the climber and mountaineer. He began rock climbing at Quincy Quarries in Boston over 50 years ago. Always training, he was once caught on a climbing approach with rocks in the bottom of his pack. Just prior to his diagnosis he was still leading challenging routes at Cathedral Ledge. The “kids” (not even half his age) at EVO rock gym marveled at what this old guy could do. He taught rock and ice climbing with the Appalachian Mountain Club for decades, always focusing on sound technique and prioritizing safety. The influence he had in mentoring many young climbers cannot be overstated. He climbed throughout the U.S., Canadian Rockies, Mexico, Europe, and Himalayas. Awards Ran received from the climbing community include: “The Fitness Award to Ran Glennon: Who runs, swims, eats salads (tons), bikes, and climbs in the same day then wonders if he has done enough;” and the “Still Got It” Award in 2004. Always modest, he accepted these and other accolades with humor.

Enjoying the serenity of hiking, Ran completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 1976. He began hiking with his children at a young age, carrying them (one in the front, one on the back) up countless trails in Maine and the White Mountains. He loved the rugged trails of the East, and would say “now that’s more like it” on the steepest part of the trail. He insisted his hiking companions were always well prepared (“pack everything you need to spend the night outside!”).

Ran observed that climbers often did not lead balanced lives, and he was determined to do otherwise. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his family life. He enjoyed the school years, supporting his children in academics and sports. But Ran was much more a doer than an observer. Along with countless camping trips in New Hampshire, Acadia National Park, and Colorado, the “family vacation” became a must-do. Over the years the Glennons traveled to Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Europe, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and backpacked half of California’s John Muir Trail. But the most memorable trip of all was in 2001, when the family spent three months in their VW Westfalia “Campie” touring 23 National Parks, driving 9,000 miles, hiking over 250 miles, and sleeping under the stars along the way. More recently, it was a great joy of Ran’s to welcome his son-in-law, DJ, and grandson, Harry, into our family.

Finally, Ran adored his cats, Paws and Whiskers, followed by Finn and Rose. Finn would sit on Ran’s lap while he played the piano (claiming Finn was fond of Rachmaninoff).

Ran was predeceased by his parents, Harrison and Dickie (Bailey) Glennon; and his brother, Francis Glennon.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ann Glennon, of Yarmouth; his son, Benjamin Glennon of Boulder, Colo.; his daughter, Elizabeth, husband David, and grandson Harrison (“Harry,” named after Ran) Hessler of Falmouth; brother-in-law, John Gollon of Rochester, N.Y.; and niece, Katherine Gollon of Porter. He also leaves behind several cousins, their children; and many friends from every chapter of his remarkable life.

Dad, you instructed us to “Carry on.” We will do our best; you gave us the tools. Love, Mom, Ben, and Bessie.

Ran’s memorial service will be at First Parish Congregational Church, 116 Main St., Yarmouth, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ran’s memory to:

the Appalachian Mountain Club