Glenn H. Luedtke, musician, veteran, EMS leader
Glenn H. Luedtke, 83, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, with his daughters at his side. He was born in Baltimore, Md., to the late Julius and Naomi Luedtke.
Glenn enjoyed a long career as a musician. He received his musical education at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. At 17, he was the youngest percussionist ever to be a member of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, where he performed until entering the U.S. Army. He served 20 years as a member of The U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own) in Washington, D.C., retiring as a sergeant major. He received several awards for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal.
While in the Army, he was certified as a nationally registered paramedic, and upon his retirement was appointed adjunct assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences as a part of their EMS Degree Program. He later served as director of the Cape & Islands EMS System in Cape Cod, Mass., and in 2001 became director of Sussex County EMS in Delaware.
Glenn was active as a firefighter paramedic for many years and was a life member of both the Lansdowne (Md.) Volunteer Fire Department and Bailey’s Crossroads (Va.) Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as fire chief. He was also an honorary life member of the Delaware State EMS Association and was the first recipient of the DSEMSA Stephanie Callaway Memorial Award for Excellence in Paramedicine. In addition, Glenn was a founding member of the National Association of EMTs, received their Presidential Leadership Award, and was recognized by the EMS Safety Foundation with their Lifetime Achievement Award for his work to improve safety for EMS practitioners and patients. He was also a frequent lecturer at EMS conferences nationally and internationally, and a writer for EMS journals.
Glenn performed with several local groups on Delmarva, including Salisbury Symphony, Milford Community Band, Possum Point Players, and A Touch of Brass quintet.
Glenn’s wife of 45 years, Sherry, preceded him in death in August 2025. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah (Karl) and Wendy (Mike); two grandchildren, Eliza and Maddy; his nephew, Charles; his brother-in-law, Charles (Sharon); and his German shepherd.
In keeping with his wishes, services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Brandywine Valley SPCA in Georgetown, and suggests raising a margarita in his honor, and asks to thank community first responders.
Visit Mr. Luedtke's Life Memorial webpage at watsonfh.com.
