Glicken, pioneer local businessman, dies at 89

Wednesday, June 8, 2005 | 8:43 a.m.

Ken Glicken, a pioneer local businessman, died Monday at a Las Vegas hospital. he was 89.

Glicken was a co-founder of Fantastik Discount Store at Charleston Boulevard and Maryland Parkway, one of the first discount outlets in town, selling everything from televisions to macrame to jewelry to gardening tools.

Long retired and out of the media spotlight, Glicken served as his family's spokesman after his 15-year-old granddaughter Rebeccah Glicken was struck by a car and killed along with five other teens in March 2000.

In a brief death notice issued Tuesday, Glicken's relatives acknowledged his dedication, noting he "was always there for his family."

In the years following his retirement from the discount retail business, Ken Glicken's name appeared at times in the society page columns after he and his wife of 64 years, Lilian Glicken, attended major social events, including several for Temple Beth Sholom, of which he was a longtime member.

He also was known for supporting Jewish causes and the Anti-Defamation League.

Born March 10, 1916, in Omaha, Neb., Glicken was a military veteran of World War II. He moved to Las Vegas in 1962, the year he opened Fantastik, a 52,000-square-foot facility that also sold hardware supplies, dinner ware and furniture. The business was sold in the late 1970s.

In addition to his wife, Glicken is survived by two sons, Howard Glicken and Dr. Dale Glicken; and four grandchildren.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 Eldorado Lane. Interment will be at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. The family said donations can be made in Ken Glicken's memory to Temple Beth Sholom or to the American Lung Association.