Roger Neil Grabinski, 1939-2020
Roger said often, “When your done, it’s time to go home.” Around midnight April 17-18, 2020, Roger “went home” as he slipped quietly, gently and peacefully into death at Woodland Hospice House with his Joanne by his side. Roger Neil Grabinski, was born on May 26, 1939 in Tacoma WA to Teofil (Phil) and Fernande Pauline Eugenie Bouffioux Grabinski—the youngest of their five sons. He graduated from Cleveland High School in Portland OR. He was Master Councilor of the Sunnyside DeMolay Chapter in Portland and then elected State Master Councilor, Oregon DeMolay. Roger attended Willamette University for two years before transferring to the University of Oregon to earn both a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education: History and a Master’s Degree in Guidance & Counseling. Upon completion of his graduate degree, he became the teacher-counselor for the Lane County Youth Project-Oakridge OR School District, where he met and fell in love with the Home Economics teacher, then married her in August 1966. They moved to the Eugene OR area, where Roger was project director for the Mobilab In-Service Training Program for school teachers and counselors. He also served as Chairman of the Board for Lane County’s antipoverty agency. Their move to Michigan came when Roger was selected as Doctoral Fellow for Mott Foundation’s Inter-University Clinical Preparation Program (focused on the concept of community education, with schools as community centers) to earn a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. Roger began is long career (38 1/2 years) at Central Michigan University as the Mott Foundation’s I-UCPP professor at CMU and became a tenured faculty member in the the Department of Educational Leadership (originally the Department of Educational Administration & Community Leadership). He also served as Department Chairperson twice (under his leadership, the department was granted their doctoral degree program); was appointed to a one-year term Special Assistant to the College of EHHS Dean; and earned the rank of Full Professor. Retiring from CMU, Roger was honored by selection as the Honorary Grand Marshal for the first commencement held in the new CMU Events Center. Roger was actively involved with an array of professional organizations, including: National and Michigan Community Education Associations; National Council of Professors of Educational Administration; Michigan Association of Professors of Educational Administration (President); American Association of School Administrators; MidMichigan School Administrators Association (President); Michigan Association of Volunteer Administrators (President); Association of Fundraising Professionals-national and Michigan Chapter (Board member); World Future Society; Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society (President, CMU Chapter and Area Coordinator, a national level elected position). He also served as an elected member, representing CMU, on the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Roger was awarded Chevalier status by the International Order of DeMolay. He received Phi Delta Kappa-CMU Chapter awards for Outstanding Service, Leadership and Research—the only individual to receive all three awards presented by this chapter. Roger will be remembered for many reasons, including his sense of humor, his ability to pull the correct item out of the clutter of his many offices, and his gathering of odd, often seemingly non-useful facts that turned out to be useful and made him a really good Trivia player. He loved a good game of Cribbage, especially with his son, Larry. Roger is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, C Joanne Grabinski, Mt. Pleasant MI; son Lawrence Neil and Shari Garten Grabinski, San Antonio TX; brother Kenneth and Jane Grabinski, Milton WA; brother Warren and Leslie Grabinski, Tigard OR; sisters-in-law Mary, Tacoma WA, and Geraldine, Lebanon OR; and many special nieces and nephews across three younger family generations. Cremation has taken place, with arrangements by Clark Funeral Chapel of Mt. Pleasant MI.
Due to continuing uncertainties of and restrictions related to COVID-19, the memorial event planned for August 13 has been canceled. Condolences and memories may be sent to: Family of Roger Grabinski, PO Box 507, Mt. Pleasant MI 48804-0507. Memorial contributions can be made to the Chippewa Water Conservancy, PO Box 896, Mt. Pleasant MI 48804-0896 or info@chippewawatershedconservancy.org; Woodland Hospice House, 2597 Meridian Road, Mt. Pleasant MI 48858; GreenTree Cooperative Grocery 2020 Capital Campaign, 214 N. Franklin Street, Mt. Pleasant MI 48858. The family wishes to express grateful appreciation to the administrators and staff of Crestwood Assisted Living for their care and support; team members of MidMichigan Home Care, Hospice Care and Woodland Hospice House for their care and support; and the many medical care professionals who cared for Roger at varying times in his life journey.