Obituary
Richard I. Grove Obituary
New Smyrna Beach, FL- Richard I. Grove, 97 passed away on June 24, 2024.
Richard was born in Worcester, MA on December 19, 1926, son of the late Thomas H. and Alice M. Grove. He was raised in Worcester and Hornell, NY and graduated from Clark University. He was a proud WWII veteran serving in the Naval Air Corp as bombardier on the Martin PBM Mariner.
Richard worked in the computer industry his whole career with executive roles at Univac, GE, Data Products, Wang Laboratories, and Dylaflo Business Machines Corp. which he founded. His career took him to MA, CT, NY and CA. In later years Richard and his wife spent time between PEI, Canada and FL. Richard had many interests dedicating his life to family, environmental causes, and community service. His concern for the environment led him to actively participate in environmental preservation of all wildlife particularly manatees and turtles. He was a familiar face at Canaveral National Seashore and the Marine Discovery Center where he volunteered for many years. He was an avid sailor who enjoyed a variety of sail boats. He was a long-time runner finishing his last 5K shortly after his 90th birthday. Richard dabbled in clay sculptures and wrote poetry, mostly to his wife. He was a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in New Smyrna Beach and the eldest member of the White Sands Buddhist community in Mims, FL. Richard is the recipient of the “Good Neighbor Award” from the City of New Smyrna Beach honoring “his many expressions of good will in the community, and displaying the character which embodies that of a good neighbor.”
His beloved wife Helen L. (Power) Grove of 70 years died in May 2017. He is survived by his sons Jerome Grove, of Wayland, MA, and Russell Grove of Etowah, TN; his daughters Cheryl Grove of Middletown, RI, Pamela Fowler of Charlottesville, VA, Doreen Bentley of Thompson, CT and Marena Burnett of Needham, MA; 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his son Barry Grove, and his brother Thomas Grove. The family values Marsha Carroll’s, his caregiver, dedication to our Dad.
Baldwin Brothers in New Smyrna Beach is handling the initial arrangements. Burial will be in St John’s Cemetery in Worcester, MA at a later date. In lieu of flowers kindly consider donating to save the manatees at https://savethemanatee.org.
Adrian Palmer.
I will miss him but will always have the great memories of him.
An adventurous couple always.
Gale Dempsey
Not a day will go by when I don't look for you, my North Star. I will miss your daily good night texts, invitations to beat me at scrabble, your latest updates on environmental, local and political issues pressing on our world. I will miss you dearly but you will always be in my heart.
Tobe with an "e"