In memoriam: Norman L. Grover, professor emeritus of religion

Rev. Dr. Norman L. Grover, 82, of Blacksburg, Va., was born on Feb. 9, 1928, and passed away on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Anne Grover; son, Neal; daughters, Jennifer, Rebecca, and Sandra; and numerous grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was a theologian and philosopher. For 45 years, he taught at Virginia Tech and served as philosophy and religion department head.

His education included, BME (1948) from RPI, BD (1951), STM (1952) from Yale Divinity School, and Ph.D. in Religion (1957) from Yale.

He was a recipient of numerous accolades including the Nannie B. Hairston Community Service Award. His memory will be cherished. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on June 19 at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church with Pastor Susan Verbrugge officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.

The above information was provided by the Roanoke Times. Read the text.

Grover joined the newly formed Department of Philosophy and Religion (now known as the Department of Religion and Culture) at Virginia Tech in 1957 and served as head of the department until 1975. He continued teaching in the department and the successor Department of Religion, which was established in 1983 until his retirement in 1994.

Professor Elizabeth Stuthers Malbon of the Department of Religion and Culture, his colleague for many years, writes of his contributions:

“Norm Grover saw -- and helped to guide -- enormous changes in the teaching of Religion in his many years at Virginia Tech. He was a bridge figure -- teaching both Philosophy courses and Religion courses in the Department of Philosophy and Religion from 1957 to 1982, and courses on both Western and Asian religious traditions in the Religion Department from 1983 through 1994. His training, experience, and interests were all broad; and his commitments to his students and his university colleagues were all deep.”