Ronald Norman Grove

Ronald Norman Grove, 82, of Chincoteague Island, VA passed away on August 31, 2021 at his residence. Ronald died of Alzheimer’s with his wife, Edda, and daughter, Larisa, present.

Ron was born in Danville, PA on November 30, 1938 to the late Arthur and Maxine (Bell) Grove. He graduated Cumberland Valley High School, PA in 1956, and then attended York Junior College. Ron joined the Air Force in 1961 and was sent to Syracuse University for Russian Studies. He was stationed in Germany in 1963, where he met his future wife Edda, the love of his life. Ron served a 15-month tour in Turkey, but then after returning to Germany 1965, Ron separated from the Air Force, married Edda in Darmstadt on December 10th & 11th, 1965, and returned to his home area settling in Mechanicsburg, PA.

Ron worked for AT&T for 24 years as a Communications Technician specializing in Computer Technology. After his three children graduated from high school, as a new empty nester, Ron retired in 1990 and moved with Edda across the country to a town they had visited while traveling, Canon City, CO. After living in Colorado for nineteen years, wanting to return to the East Coast, they moved in 2010 to their island home in Chincoteague, Virginia. Always holding onto the quiet desire for more adventure and wanting to spend time closer to their grandchildren in Wyoming, Ron and Edda built a summer home in Jackson, WY in 2016.  

Whether it was a hobby or part of being a homeowner, Ron was exceptional with building and repairing things. He filled up the garage with everything and anything needed to repair a home or a car. He could have made a tidy profit renting out tools to the neighbors, but with his generous personality was glad to do what he could to help others. In the 1970s, when the family wanted a color television, Ron got the ‘how-to’ manuals and built one from scratch. The tv never had a back on it and worked great until one of the kid’s homemade toys collided with the exposed wires shorting it out. Outside of working on things, Ron had many hobbies, that after deciding he enjoyed it, he would immerse himself in the hobby filling the garage with the equipment required for each hobby. His earlier pursuit of hunting and fishing resulted in the collection of rifles and reels, but rarely did game find its way back to the kitchen table. In Colorado, Ron took to hiking in the mountains collecting up his list of summited 14,000’ers.  He enjoyed camping, skiing, cross-country skiing, bicycling, and many other outdoor activities. He was the silent accomplice in Edda’s worldly adventures willingly taking planes, trains, small boats, or large cruise ships to see a new, far-off corner of the world. In Colorado, Ron started playing tennis and later, after moving to Chincoteague, joined the Community Tennis Association of Chincoteague Island, becoming a regular player in their local tournaments. On the side, Ron continued enjoying messing around with computers ensuring he had every version of the Microsoft Windows manuals on-hand, just in case.

Ronald is survived by his loving spouse of 55 years, Edda Grove of Chincoteague Island, VA; son, Ronald P. Grove of Salisbury, MD; two daughters, Larisa E. Thomas and her husband Jerry of Centreville, MD, Christina N. Mizelle and her husband Russel of Jackson, WY; four grandchildren, Austin and Jason Thomas, Sascha and Lola Mizelle; three siblings, Sue Wolford, Sandra Fabian, and Arthur Grove; sister-in-law, Ute Blankensee; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. His brother, David Grove, died just the day before Ron.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at Emmanuel Jenkins Bridge Episcopal Church, Jenkins Bridge, VA, with Rev. Frederick W. Willis Jr., officiating. The service is limited due to COVID.

The family requests no flowers, but instead asks for donations to be made in Ronald's memory to Riverside Shore Hospice, 25379 Lankford Highway, Onley, VA 23418.  Services entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc. on Chincoteague Island, VA.  Condolences may be made online at www.salyerfh.com.

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