Richard Floyd Grubb Sr (Rich) 80, passed away peacefully with his wife of 59 years, Mary Louise, at his side on Whidbey Island, WA. Rich gracefully dedicated his life to his family. He prioritized his time to enjoy being with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was an excellent example of how to be a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, friend, neighbor, and classmate. All who were blessed to have known Rich have stories of his heart of gold.
Born as the first child to Floyd Egbert Grubb and Olive Myrtle Gaylord Grubb in Mt. Vernon, WA, Rich grew up with his two younger sisters, Beth and Alice, on the family’s small farm at the south end of Whidbey Island. He graduated from Langley High School in ‘61. While growing up, Rich made lifelong friends in the community and was involved in Boy Scouts, football, basketball, track, and baseball. Rich went onto Everett Community College playing football. In 1963 Rich married Weezie, the love of his life. Together they moved to Eugene OR, where they started their own family. Rich drove trucks to support the family while attending the University of Oregon. In 1967 he graduated with a business degree and two sons, Rich Jr (3) and David (2). The young family moved to Portland, OR where Rich began his professional career at Western Wood Products. The family moved back to Eugene where Rich took a position with Bohemian Lumber Company. Their third son Paul was born in Eugene in 1972. That same year the family moved back to Portland where Robert was born in 1973. Rich went to work for Portland Sawmill Machinery, a subsidiary of Northwest Marine Iron Works, Inc. He worked for NW Marine and its subsidiaries for 13 years. Rich’s last position with them was President of Atlas Iron Works, Inc. where he was involved in the construction of several projects of iconic buildings in Portland and Seattle including the US Bancorp Building (Big Pink) and KOIN Tower. The family moved to California for a few years and then moved back to Portland. Before retiring Rich joined Weezie’s real estate venture, and the two of them enjoyed the friends they made as they helped people make housing decisions.
Rich was able to build a successful career as well as to make it home every night, changing out of his suit and tie, for family dinner by 6pm. He was involved at St. Pius X Catholic Church and CYO. He coached his sons in sports and taught them many things: how to work with tools, bail hay, fix fences, water ski, snow ski, fish, crab, clam, gooey duck, drive tractors, boats, cars and how to back up trailers to name a few. He and Weezie enjoyed going to all their children’s and grandchildren’s events. The family spent most weekends between May and October boating in the Columbia or camping around Oregon. Friends and family were often included, and Rich spent many hours teaching them how to water ski.
After Rich and Weezie retired, they moved back onto Whidbey Island and continued being proud parents and grandparents attending events and creating family memories. Rich loved to ski and enjoyed skiing in all the western states and every other year the entire family would spend a week skiing together. For Rich and Weezie’s 50 th anniversary, the family (20) skied in Austria for a week.
Rich was very kind, funny, and warm hearted. He was also very humble. He had a great sense and humor and many one liners to keep us laughing. He did more for the community and people than they knew. He was a proud father and grandfather and would often be wearing one of the many sweatshirts and hats of the many schools and universities his grandchildren attended. He was loved by many and will be remembered and missed. Rich is survived by his wife, Mary Louise, four sons Rich Jr (JoAnn), David (Marti), Paul (Emily) and Rob (Lori) and eight grandchildren and two great-grandsons. His two sisters Alice Grubb and Beth Meador and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Saturday August 26, 2023, 10:00am at St Hubert Catholic Church in Langley, WA.
