Civic Philanthropist and Former Caterpillar CEO Glen Barton has died. Barton retired as CEO of Caterpillar in 2004 after 43 years with the company.
Since that time he and his wife Polly have made significant contributions to WTVP, The Peoria Children’s Playhouse, as well as the Zoo, Illinois Central College. He also spearheaded Quest Charter Academy, Peoria’s only charter school.
Barton served on Eureka College Board of Trustees from 2013 through last year. He and wife Polly also most recently made an undisclosed 7-figure gift to Bradley University. The money is earmarked for a special business incubator to be placed in the planned business and engineering Convergence Center.
Barton also served on local and state business roundtables, and was a member of the U.S. President’s Export Council. He is recognized in the National Mining Hall of Fame for changing the mining industry.
Barton had been battling cancer. He was 77.