Joseph S. Grover ’42

Joe died July 3, 2017, at the age of 97, in Newtown, Pa.

An avid gardener, baker, and fisherman, he was first and foremost a teacher. Born in Newark, N.J., to Mae and W. Mortimer Grover, Joe graduated from Lawrenceville in 1938 and Princeton in 1942. In 1949 he earned a master’s degree from Columbia University. In the same year he married Eunice Powell (Smith ’45).

From 1942 to 1946 he served in the Pacific as an officer and combat engineer with the 592nd Battalion of the Army Corps of Engineers. He attained the rank of captain.

Joe Grover’s 43-year teaching career was spent primarily at Wooster School in Danbury, Conn., where he taught until 1989 and shared his love of English literature and his respect for grammar — commas, in particular. He also served as assistant headmaster, admissions officer, college-guidance counselor, and track coach. He was an inspiration to generations of students. After his retirement, the school renamed one of the classroom buildings “Grover Hall” with a plaque that read, “In Honor of Joseph S. Grover, he ennobled the teaching profession.” In 1958 Joe and his family spent a year in England while he was an exchange teacher at Gresham’s in Holt, Norfolk.

Upon retirement, Joe and his wife, Eunice, took up residence in Pennswood Village Continuing Care Retirement Community in Newtown. There they took advantage of all Pennswood had to offer, socially, culturally, and educationally.

Joe is survived by Eunice and children Doug ’73 and Liz.