It is with deep sadness that the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation announces that Art Glatfelter, a former Foundation board member, died on Thursday, February 14, 2013, at the age of 88.
Mr. Glatfelter was renowned for his generous contributions of his time and resources. A World War II Marine Corps veteran in the Pacific Theater from July 1942 to July 1946, he served on numerous boards and organizations within his community and the fire service for more than 50 years.
In 1951, Mr. Glatfelter founded the Glatfelter Insurance Group in his hometown of Dallastown, PA, which grew to be one of the largest privately owned agencies in the United States. He founded VFIS in 1969 to fill a need for insurance coverage for the nation’s volunteer fire and emergency services. Today, VFIS is the world’s leading provider of insurance coverage as well as education and training programs for the emergency services community.
Mr. Glatfelter was instrumental in establishing and building the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in 1981, and he served on the Board of Directors of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation from 1995-2005. He generously donated time and support to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and sponsored the broadcast of the Weekend for many years.
