Bud Glasberg, industry publisher, passes away

The retired publisher of Glass Digest magazine, Oscar S. (Bud) Glasberg passed away last week at the age of 87. He was involved in the glass industry for more than 30 years, joining New York-based Ashlee Publishing Co. in 1959 as editor and publisher.

During his time at Glass Digest in the 1960s and 1970s, Glasberg worked actively with the National Glass Dealers Association, now the National Glass Association, McLean, Va., and the Flat Glass Marketing Association, now the Glass Association of North America, Topeka, Kan. He also was involved in the start up of the Sealed Insulating Glass Manufacturers Association, which became part of the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance, Ottawa, ON.

In 1975, Glasberg launched the interGlassmetal trade show in the U.S. Modeled after European events, the biennial North American show was the first industry event specifically designed to showcase equipment for the fabrication of flat glass and related products. As trade show organizer, he played a major role in developing relations between the U.S. and the international flat glass industries.

In the 1980s, Glasberg started Fenestration World, the first trade show targeted specifically at the window and door manufacturing industry.Under his leadership, Ashlee Publishing also introduced Fenestration Magazine, the first industry publication targeting the window and door industry, in 1987.

A World War II veteran, Glasberg served in the 83rd Infantry Division, participating in the breakout from Normandy and the race across northern France to the German border.During this time, he was promoted from corporal to staff sergeant (squad leader) and was later evacuated from combat in the Ardennes Forest (Battle of the Bulge) because of frozen feet.

Glasberg retired as publisher and moved to Arizona in 1991. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, two daughters, a stepson, and stepdaughter, nine grandchildren, and his sister.