Robert Glen Stephens

Robert Glen Stephens of Columbia, MD, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, at the age of 75. Glen was diagnosed with cancer in April 2024 and died of medical complications related to his cancer treatments. Glen faced his illness with strength, grace and unshakable faith. In his final moments, he was surrounded by the love of his family, the power of prayer, and Amazing Grace.

Glen was born on October 8, 1949, in Long Island, NY, to Yankee Robert Raymond Stephens and Southern Belle Addie Jane Wilkins. At the age of five, his family relocated to Montgomery County, Maryland. Glen spent his childhood exploring the woods with his younger brother, Gary, enjoying time as a Boy Scout, and spending summers and Christmases with his mother’s family in North Carolina—where he fell in love with the small-town charm of Rocky Mount.

He attended Northwood High School in Wheaton and later the University of Maryland, College Park, where he was part of the first graduating class of the School of Architecture in 1972. Enticed by his parents’ promise of a 1966 convertible Ford Mustang if he stayed in-state for college, Glen happily agreed—sparking a lifelong love of sports cars or “hot rods,” as he called them.

Glen dedicated over 50 years to his career as an architect and commercial developer in Prince George’s County. As the founder and principal of Stephens Architectural Associates, he led the design of hundreds of properties throughout Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina, where he maintained a satellite office for many years. His portfolio included office parks, shopping centers, warehouses, bio-storage facilities, and numerous large churches. A pioneer in the tilt-up concrete construction industry, Glen made history as the first architect to serve on the board of directors for the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA), later leading the organization as its president from 2000 to 2001. He was instrumental in the creation of foundational TCA resources and publications, and helped establish the vision for what would become the annual TCA Convention & Expo. In 2024, his decades of leadership and innovation were honored with the TCA’s highest award—the Peter Courtois Memorial Award—"presented to recipients whose career-long dedication to the greater good of the tilt-up industry is recognized by their peers”. In addition, Glen was recently recognized as one of the World’s Top 50 influencers in the tilt up industry. He was also a devoted mentor whose guidance and encouragement helped launch and shape the careers of countless young architects and professionals, many of whom continue to credit him for their growth and success.

In the 1970s, Glen moved “out to the country” to what was then the growing town of Columbia, MD. It was there he met the love of his life, Emilia Januszkiewicz, on a blind date set up by mutual friends.They went to a bowling alley—just down the road from the house they would later build and call home for nearly four decades. Despite a rocky start—she thought he talked too much, and he thought she was too quiet (facts that remained true till this day). Their first kiss cancelled out their first impressions, love was in the air! A little mischief followed: Emilia and her sister, Cecilia discovered someone had stolen their mailbox label. Years later they realized the culprit was amongst them. It was Glen who wanted to impress her by learning how to spell her last name. After many dates, adventures and classic Glen hijinks, the couple married in 1977 at St. John the Evangelist in Columbia, MD—beginning a life together filled with love, laughter, and the joyful culture clash between Glen’s more formal, genteel family and Emilia’s large, raucous Polish family from Ohio.

Together, Glen and Emilia raised four children—a reality that Glen often joked surprised them both, as they hadn’t initially planned on having any. He wholeheartedly loved being a dad, and found deep joy in becoming a grandfather, cherishing every stage of family life. He introduced each loved one with pride: “This is my grandson, Indio,” and so on. He often remarked how much he wished his own parents could have met his grandchildren, so they could delight in them as much as he did.

The welfare of his family was always Glen’s primary concern. He could be in the middle of an important business deal, and if a family member called, he would excuse himself immediately to see what they might need him to do.

Glen was gregarious and animated, a comedian with a well-honed “shtick”. He never met a stranger—much to the chagrin and amusement of his family. Elevators became stages, and fellow riders became friends. People opened to him with ease, drawn to his genuine warmth and big-hearted nature. Once you entered Glen’s orbit, you became family—someone he would support unconditionally and challenge with tough love when needed.

Glen’s interests were as varied as they were passionate. A lifelong Maryland Terrapins basketball fan, he was a member of the Maryland Terrapin Club for decades. He loved golf, music, history, photography, Hallmark movies, travel, gadgets, and a good Hawaiian shirt—declaring it “festive dress” one Thanksgiving and inadvertently starting a family tradition. Glen was the Family Gadget Man. He was always the first to have the latest tech, whether he needed it or not. His family suspects he may even have owned the original car phone. He also enjoyed playing piano, collecting firearms, and finding humor in everyday life.

Above all, Glen was a man of deep faith, who began his day with prayer and Bible readings. His spiritual life was central to who he was, guiding his actions and his generous heart. His generosity was boundless and often offered quietly, without recognition—acts of kindness known to few but surely remembered by God. Glen rarely questioned the need; he simply asked how he could help.

A longtime member of Grace Community Church in Fulton, MD, Glen served as an usher and took it upon himself to get to know as many members of the congregation as possible. He cared deeply for the pastors and their families, and when he could no longer attend services in person, he faithfully joined online.

Originally raised Southern Baptist, Glen attended many Catholic Masses with his wife and children over the years and supported Catholic education for his children. In 1997, when his mother-in-law became gravely ill, he made a promise at her bedside to convert to Catholicism if she recovered—she did, and so did he. He was confirmed shortly thereafter, and his Catholic faith called him home at the end of his life. In his final days, Glen found great comfort in the crucifix and was able to receive the Sacraments before his passing—a blessing his family will always cherish.

Glen is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Emilia Januszkiewicz Stephens, his daughters Katie (Simon) Vanleuven and Jamie (Hunter) Kinsella, his sons Matthew (Devi) Stephens and John (Melissa) Stephens, his grandchildren, Marley, Indio, Jude, Liam, Avery, Wally, Cece, Nash, and AJ. Also, survived by his brother, Gary (Lori) Stephens, and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Jane Stephens, and his grandson, Ryder.

Glen was truly one of a kind—a character in the best sense of the word. If you met him, you remember him. He will be dearly, dearly missed.

The family extends heartfelt thanks for the love, prayers, and support offered during this difficult time.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 15th at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A., 12540 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD from 2:00 to 4:00pm and 6:00 to 8:00pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial (funeral) will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church, 12500 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD on Friday, May 16th at 1:00pm.

Memorial donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation , St. Jude’s Hospital , and Compassion International .

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/

Tunnel to Towers Foundation
2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island NY 10306
Web: https://t2t.org/

Compassion International
Tel: 1-800-336-7676
Email: giftplanning@compassion.com
Web: https://www.compassion.com/ways-to-donate.htm