In Memoriam: Russell Grove and Milton Weinrieb
We are saddened to note the deaths of the following members:
- Russell S. Grove, 85, of Camino, California, passed away on February 6, 2013, in Placerville of congestive heart failure. He was a SABR member since 2005 and an active member of the Sacramento Chapter. A former minor league ballplayer, he became an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants. He and his wife, Helen, would depart the cold climate of Camino in late January to spend 2 months in warm and sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, to watch their favorite team during Spring Training. Winning 2 World Series in the past 3 years thrilled him to no end. Russ was born in Sacramento on June 24, 1927. He attended Fruitridge Grammar School, Stanford Junior High and graduated from Sacramento High School in 1945. While he was young, he learned to play the accordion, and eventually joined the “Marchi Accordian Band” which performed on the Delta King on the Sacramento River. Russ’ musical talent also included a lifelong love of playing the piano. He loved to entertain for social gatherings especially at Cold Springs Golf Club, and with friends and relatives. While attending Sacramento Junior College, Russ was drafted into the Army and was sent to Korea from early 1946 until January of 1947. He also had a wonderful career in professional baseball. After honing his game at both Sacramento High School and for the local American Legion club, he was drafted by the Sacramento Solons Rookies, and played in the Sunset League in Anaheim, CA. He then signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, and played for their Class A affiliate in Fresno, CA in 1949-50, in the California League. He then played one season with the Cleveland Indians’ Cal League affiliate in Bakersfield before retiring from baseball. Russ went on to get a job with the California Oxygen Company in Sacramento. Eventually making the business his livelihood, he moved to Placerville, CA, bought out his partner and formed Oxygen Service & Supply in 1961. Russ and his wife, Nancy, started their family in 1960 with the birth of their son, Joe, followed by daughter Lisa two years later. After his divorce from Nancy in 1980, he eventually married the love of his life, Helen, in October 1982. Russ and Helen settled in Camino and expanded the business further, including the formation of two new companies (Pacific Cylinders and Grove Industries.) Pacific Cylinders was sold in 1961. Russ is predeceased by his parents, Eddie and Lulu, his sisters Dorothy Wakefield and Helen Rolly, and his brothers-in-law John Wakefield and William Rolly. He is survived by his beloved wife Helen; his four children, Dan (Victoria) Partain, John Partain, Joseph (Kimberly) Grove and Lisa Adamski; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville, CA 95667.
- Milton Weinrieb, 93, of Rochester, New York, passed away on February 21, 2013 in Rochester. He was a SABR member since 1977. Milt had a great love for storytelling and writing poetry, as well as baseball. He tried out for the Detroit Tigers and scouted for the St. Louis Browns. Milt served as a Captain in the US Army during World War II, he was in food service sales for 50 years and was founder and president of Millen Sales Co. He was president of the Brighton Kiwanis and was a dedicated and active member of Temple B’rith Kodesh for many years. He is predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Estrin, and brother, George Weinrieb. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Lenore; devoted children Robin (Mark) Stein, Greg (Kate) Weinrieb and Wendy (David) Orange; five grandchildren and one great-grandson; sister, Norma Small and brother, Jerome (Rose) Weinrieb; nieces & nephews. Donations may be made to Temple B’rith Kodesh or the Jewish Home Foundation in his memory.
Originally published: April 22, 2013. Last Updated: April 22, 2013.