WOOSTER – Walter Childs Grosjean, age 93, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2022. He was born June 23, 1929 to Alice Childs and George F. Grosjean and was a lifelong resident of Wooster.
He attended Wooster High School after which he attended the College of Wooster, majoring in political science and graduating with honors in 1951. He attended the University of Michigan Law School and was admitted to the Michigan and Ohio state bars in 1954.
After a short stint practicing law with the Critchfield Law Firm in Wooster, he was drafted into the army. After military service, Walter returned to the Critchfield Law Firm where he practiced primarily in probate administration and trust law. He spent his entire legal career with the Critchfield Law Firm retiring in 1999 after practicing law continuously for 43 years. As one colleague shared: “Walter’s spirit lives on at the law firm, as his positive outlook and professionalism were passed on to those fortunate enough to work with him.”
Walter was active in professional activities including service as President of the Wayne County Bar Association and as a multi-year member of the Board of Governors of Probate and Trust law section of the Ohio State Bar Association. During that period, he authored four Ohio Revised Code Probate Court amendments which were adopted by the Ohio Legislature. He also authored three papers on Ohio Probate code and procedure which were published in the Ohio Probate Law Journal. He was appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court as a charter member of the Ohio Supreme Court’s Probate and Trust Law Specialization Board which established and supervised board certification of Ohio lawyers in the specialty of probate and trust law.
In addition to his professional activities, he was active in the Wooster community and served many civic organizations including service on the Board of Governors of the Wooster Community Hospital for eight years, President of the Rotary Club of Wooster and President of the Wooster 20-30 service club. He served one term in the 1960s as Wooster City Law Director. He also served as Chairman of the Wooster City Charter Revision Commission in 1990.
In post-retirement, Walter was deeply involved in assisting Beulah Siegel realize her dream of putting kids through college by helping her set up the Beulah Siegel Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund was intended to serve as a “difference maker”. Selected students were chosen for financial need and academic promise. The Scholarship Fund was administered by the Wayne County Community Foundation under the direction of Walter and a small team of dedicated volunteers from the Wooster Rotary Club and Wooster High School. The team selected the students and Walter made it his personal mission to keep track of their progress throughout their college journeys. Walter had a soft spot for those who struggled in life but who showed promise if they could get a break and felt this approach was true to Beulah Siegel’s spirit.
He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wooster where he served as an elder, as a board member and in other capacities in service to the church.
He married Pearl Knox Grosjean on June 3, 1961 and is survived by Pearl, his three children, Julie (Dag) Skattum, Heidi (Jack) Gant and Scott (Jennifer) Grosjean together with five grandchildren, Lars, Erik and Nils Skattum and Megan and Trevor Gant. He is also survived by two sisters, Judith Benoist and Georgeann Grosjean. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister Carol.
Walter’s family extends its deepest appreciation and thanks to the teams at Danbury Senior Living and Wooster Hospice Lifecare for their kindness and care.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 621 College St., Wooster.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to First Presbyterian Church, 621 College St. Wooster, Ohio 44691, Ohio’s Hospice Lifecare, 1900 Akron Rd. Wooster, Ohio 44691 or to the Salvation Army, Wooster Corps, 437 S. Market St. Wooster, Ohio 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to First Presbyterian Church, 621 College St. Wooster, Ohio 44691, Ohio’s Hospice Lifecare, 1900 Akron Rd. Wooster, Ohio 44691 or to the Salvation Army, Wooster Corps, 437 S. Market St. Wooster, Ohio 44691.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 621 College St., Wooster.
A private family in inurnment will be held.
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to the entire family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh my, I’ve known this day would come eventually as it does for us all, but here we are. So many great memories of his enthusiasm for life, the way he embraced a new idea with a twinkle in his eye, his easy laughter and love of a good joke, and how he absolutely delighted in lifting others up and enjoying their successes. He would ALWAYS want to hear what YOU had been up to with authentic interest, not one to divert the conversation to himself. What a wonderful family he and Pearl created together along life’s journey – you will all be in my thoughts during this very difficult time of loss, comforted by remembering the happiness he brought to your lives as well.
Walter was a very good friend of his cousin (and my father) and my childhood and adulthood are full of wonderful memories of special occasions celebrated at the various Grosjean homes in Wooster. Walter was always welcoming and wanted to know what was happening in your life. I always considered him a loved “Uncle” and will miss his annual “Walt Street Journal”. My sympathies to Pearl and the family at this sad time of loss.
Mr.Grosjean served as my attorney several years ago when I truly needed someone to believe in me.I have never been able to say enough good things when speaking of him. I know there is a place for him in heaven.
So sorry for the family. Walter was a great guy. He will be missed I know
I am so sorry about Walt’s passing and send my sincere condolences to Pearl, her children, and family members. Walt always greeted people with a smile and pleasant conversation. We all, who knew him, will miss him.
We were neighbors with the Grosjeans for many years, and I have very fond memories of Walter (it feels strange to call him by his first name – he was always “Mr. Grosjean” when I was growing up!). One act of kindness stands out in my memory – I was very young and our family was preparing to go to an event where I had to wear a tie for the first time. My father wasn’t back from work yet, so my mother suggested I go next door to ask Mr. Grosjean to help me. He not only did so, but he patiently took the time to show me the best way to tie the tie, and let me try it myself once or twice to see if I had it right. The fact that that simple act of patience and kindness is still a vivid memory for me speaks volumes of the impression it made. Walter was a wonderful neighbor and friend to our family.
We were neighbors with the Grosjeans for many years, and I have very fond memories of Walter (it feels strange to call him by his first name – he was always “Mr. Grosjean” when I was growing up!). One act of kindness stands out in my memory – I was very young and our family was preparing to go to an event where I had to wear a tie for the first time. My father wasn’t back from work yet, so my mother suggested I go next door to ask Mr. Grosjean to help me. He not only did so, but he patiently took the time to show me the best way to tie the tie, and let me try it myself once or twice to see if I had it right. The fact that that simple act of patience and kindness is still a vivid memory for me speaks volumes of the impression it made. Walter was a wonderful neighbor and friend to our family.
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family!!
Dear Pearl and family,
It is with sadness that we read of Walter’s passing. He always had a smile to share and was personal and proper whenever we saw him. His obituary was impressive which is not a surprise since we saw him in action in Wooster and at First Presbyterian. We know you will miss him so much, as will our community and ourselves. Love to you all.
Linda and Dave
Hedi,Jack and all your family our condolences on the loss for your family. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Your Dad is a great man and always so kind.
My condolences to you during this time of sadness. You will have such wonderful memories that you had with Walter for over 62 years. Your family will also give you needed strength and helpfulness.
Prayers for this wonderful family during this sad time. RIP Walt!
Please accept our sincere sympathy.
May all the wonderful memories and adventures comfort you during this difficult time. It was a pleasure to have visited with you and Walt during the past few months.
I Ushered For Years At Wooster Presy. Church . Walter Always Had A Smile On His Face.
Thank you for your service. Condolences to the family.
Joanne and I were sorry to about Walter. We will miss seeing Walter & Pearl on their porch at Chautauqua and our mutual hangout in Sarasota at Captain
Brian’s. Condolences to Pearl and the family.
We were so sorry to hear of Walter’s passing. We were just in Chautauqua and went past their condo and it looked closed and felt sorry we were going to miss them this visit. He was always so cheerful and full of life. We have fond memories of getting to know them at Chautauqua.
Our sincere condolences to Pearl and their family.
Walter had a long and wonderful life and will be missed. It was always a delight to see Walter at the condo on our way to and from the Amp. Our condolences to Pearl and the family.
On behalf of myself, Adrian, Hilary, Aimee, Robson & Carol, we wish to send Pearl & the Grosjean family our deepest sympathies. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Stella
So sorry to read of Walter’s passing. We enjoyed those years when we both lived on Northwestern and our kids played together. Walter will be missed by so many. I am so sorry that I won’t be able to attend his service as I will be in MI with Jennifer that weekend.
In his obituary, I read that he had degrees from both the College of Wooster and the U of M law school. I visited the law school when I was a MI student myself. It is a really special campus on its own. My deepest sympathy with you Pearl at this time.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and condolences about Walter. It means a lot to us all.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and condolences. It means a lot to us.
So sorry for your loss. We will miss his Walt Street Christmas letter. Condolences to you and your family.