George E. Grube, 77

Memorial services are pending for George Edward Grube, 77, of Blair, who died Sept. 6, 2000, in Blair from complications of the cancer he had been fighting for more than two years.

George Edward Grube was born on March 12, 1923, the second son of Edward and Mary (Weidler) Grube in Bareville, Penn.

He attended school in Rothsville, Penn., graduating from Warwick Township High School in 1941. He then attended Muhlenberg College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in December of 1942. He was enrolled in the V-12 Program at Muhlenberg, and then was sent to Midshipman School in Plattsburg, N.Y., and was commissioned as an Ensign.

He saw service in the Pacific Theater of Operations in 1944 and 1945, serving on LCIs during the invasions north to Japan.

He was awarded the following medals and ribbons: American Theater, Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Philippine Liberation, Navy Unit Commendation, and the WWII Victory Medal.

He was married to Marion Barry on Nov. 11, 1945, in Rothsville and was discharged from the U.S. Navy on May 4, 1946.

He continued his education over the years at the University of Michigan, Cornell University, Arizona State, University of Colorado, and the University of Pennsylvania.

He was first a teacher and taught at Franklin and Marshall College, Gettysburg College, Lock Haven State College and Dana College, where he served for 23 years in the Biology Department.

His area of special interest was ornithology and environmental studies.

He loved to travel, and with his wife, Marion, he touched foot on every continent. His favorite trip was to the Galapagos Islands.

Mr. Grube was widely published in professional journals, wrote a text book, “Introduction to Ornithology,” and was a member of a number of professional organizations. He was a life member of the Association for Advancement of Science, Nebraska Academy of Science, and was listed in “Who’s Who of Science”.

He is survived by his wife, Marion; a brother, Weidler Grube; a daughter, Louis Marie Shickle; a son, Edward Louis Grube; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Rufus.

Mr. Grube was a much respected professor who will long be remembered by his many students and friends. Instead of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be directed to the Dana Scholarship Fund, the Memorial Community Hospital, or the Nature Conservancy.