At 12:12 August 21, 2020 in Grand Rapids, MI our treasured Roy Charles Grove slipped the surly bonds of earth to go touch the face of God. A lifelong Michigander, Roy was born on the 20th of May, 1938 in Fremont Michigan.
Roy’s elegant dance on this planet was filled with grace, humor, intellect and a penchant for penny-pinching.
Roy’s first foray out on the big blue marble was to enter the Military where he was thankfully not faced with war-time duty, but rather service of another sort; jumping from planes in the 82nd Airborne and playing the B-flat clarinet in the Army Band.
“Schooling” consisted of 82 years of life’s lessons, a kaleidoscope of vocations, study at Interlochen, University of Michigan and Western Michigan University earning a BS in History, English Lit and Philosophy.
Roy had a passion for many things, but he had a true love affair with Books and Music. It was only befitting that he marry a Librarian. Their story would last for 56 years.
Caretaking was his gig, and he would NEVER miss a chance to help, and we mean never; surely he is helping us all right now.
Roy explored the rivers and valleys of religion and science with great fervor: asking questions, learning the root languages of the Bible, wrapping his noggin around neuroscience, and gobbling up information like it was his life’s sustenance. He imparted these wisdoms freely to anyone who could grok it and many whom could not, but always leaving the scent of his kind, sweet spirit in the air. He was always teaching. He would often teach his Sunday school kids to “question everything”.
Roy found ebullient joy in the time spent with his sons out in nature, meaningful discussion, and listening to any kind of music he could lay his ears on, especially the music his own sons would muse to him. Baking cookies with his grandkids was a recipe for time well-spent. Roy also earned a blackbelt in mischief, sometimes taking years to pull off a prank; just ask his sons about the peanut butter.
Roy was preceded in death by his mother & father Marion (McIntyre) Grove, Monte Gilmore Grove, his son Monte Elwin Grove, his brother Richard “ Dick” Grove. He is survived by his wife Carol Grove, his sons Dave (Katie) Grove, Paul ( Indigo) Grove, grandchildren Troy ( Sarah) Grove, Heather Jacobs, Amber Grove, Laura Grove, Willow Dawson, great grandchildren Allison, Halie, Andrew, Natalie, Caleb, Chloe, and Kellan.
In a letter left with his sons, he wanted you all to know that his life here was blessed by knowing you. He also wanted to impart this bit of wisdom; “ Be aware of life. Listen. Smell. Feel, and Observe the beauty that is there for the seeing; explore the wonder.”
In lieu of flowers please take a moment to smell them.
A Public gathering to celebrate Roy's life will be held at a later time.
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