Success!
I tried the rubber glove approach and it didn't budge. I had the distinct impression that the sight of the rubber glove caused it to seize up. Go figure. So I went to the store, spent $18 on a strap wrench, brought it home and discovered the strap part was too thick. I then severely admonished the lens that it was causing way too many difficulties for me and that its boorish, unamenable and refractory ways must cease forthwith or I would use the strap on it anyway. That did the trick and it promptly unscrewed when I tried with the glove again. Well, actually I unscrewed part of the barrel, but it got me close enough to get the front element out.
Thanks all,
Will