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Jim Grobl
Thursday, August 07, 2008
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NAPA - With a warm smile, twinkling blue eyes and a grizzled beard, Jim Grobl demonstrated the power of friendship and a fervent love for both nature and humanity. He was a man of the mountain in touch with the great outdoors and will be missed by many.

Our beloved son, brother and friend, James O. Grobl, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2008. He touched the lives and hearts of thousands of young people in his 66 years. Over 40 of those years he dedicated to a career in education, where Jim coached swimming and taught history, math and English. As a boy scout, a lifeguard and swim instructor in his hometown of San Leandro, to later embrace a two-year mission with the Peace Corps, his love for teaching and encouraging others to excel began as a young boy where he was nurtured by his father’s love for the outdoors. He learned to fish, skin-dive for abalone, hike trails and respect nature. Many family vacations by the water sealed his affinity with the outdoors. He loved birds, Alaska, swimming with sea turtles on the Galapagos Islands, good red wine, kayaking, his faithful Labrador Luna, and his family and friends. Jim is greatly loved and admired by his family, a hero to his two sisters and a wonderful son to his parents. He was an avid environmentalist and supported many wildlife and conservation organizations.
Jim was born in Oakland on April 1, 1942, and attended Arroyo High School in San Leandro. He obtained his B.A. in history from St. Mary’s College in 1962, and went on to receive his teaching credential from Humboldt State University in 1965. He then joined the Peace Corps, teaching English at an all-girls school in Sierra Leone, Africa, for two years. He taught at Justin-Siena High School in the late 1960s, Redwood Junior High in the early ‘70s and went on teach and coach swimming at Napa High School until he retired in 2003. He continued to substitute teach at NHS and was highly requested by his colleagues, which made it feel as though he had never left. His signature straw hat and friendly greeting were staple fixtures at Napa High swim meets and around the campus. Students affectionately called him “Grobe” and he could handle the surliest bunch with his calm demeanor and gentle mannerisms. Always respecting his students as individuals and earning their respect and friendship, Jim’s heart was truly for his students. He advocated for their needs, became a mentor and father figure for many, fed, clothed, supplied lunch money or bus fare, always believing that everyone deserved a second chance. He never judged kids from their past mistakes and he never gave up on them.

He is survived by his loving parents, Eileen and George Grobl of San Leandro; his younger sister, Jeanne Grobl-Kassis of Walnut Creek; and his youngest sister, Jill and her husband, Ken Elston of Kelseyville. He has two beautiful nieces, Stephanie and her husband, Sonny Duty, and Julie and her husband, Kreg Barnett, along with seven great-nieces and nephews, all of Kelseyville. He also leaves behind his long-time friend and former wife, Karen Grobl of Napa, and a lengthy list of very close friends he considered family.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Aug. 9, at noon, at the Yountville Community Park.

A scholarship has been established in his memory. Jim would want us to continue to reach out to young people and help them along the road to envision their dreams. Contributions may be made to the Napa High School Scholarship Fund/Jim Grobl Memorial Scholarship, 2475 Jefferson St., Napa, CA 94558.
A memorial Mass will also be held in Jim’s memory on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 9 a.m., at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, 3700 Lassen St., Napa. Friends are welcome to attend.c
4 comment(s)

mfmurphy wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:17 PM:

" It was with immense sadness that I received word yesterday evening, by way of a telephone call from my mother, of Jim's death. Jim taught me American History during my junior year at Justin-Siena High School (1972). I will always remember him as a gifted, dynamic and caring educator. He encouraged us to be critical thinkers yet always with a large measure of patience and kindness toward adolescents often resistant to seeing beyond the surface of events, of society in general, and of institutions. I appreciated his dry wit and clever asides and rejoinders and, I must add, his colorful collection of ties about which we often made comments during class. Our paths crossed only rarely later in life. Yet he was always thoughtful and reflective, passionate for the outdoors and passionate for life. My heartfelt and deep gratitude, Jim, for the many years of service - well over 4 decades - to the ministry of youth as a professional educator in the Napa Valley. Your reward will indeed be great in heaven for the love, the energy, the care and the dedication that you brought to the classroom and to your students. Requiem in pace! Michael F Murphy FSC (Paris, France) "

donnaitalia wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:04 PM:

" MFMurphy, you cannot have described Jim more accurately. What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful, kind soul.
Jim, friend and colleague, you will be sorely missed. Thousands of students, and countless other people as well, are better off for having known you. Every day that you taught, you made the classroom a better place. We can all make a difference by following your example. Rest in peace. "

momolak wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:35 PM:

" God Bless Jim.. He was an amazing teacher, friend, and mentor to so many kids in Napa.. He was one of the most amazing people I have ever met and my son's best friend... He was loved far more than he knew and will remain in the hearts of many as someone who truly understood the word love in the deepest sense... I loved him too along with so many others... Find peace and love dear friend.... "

NAPACHICA wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:59 PM:

" Mr. Grobl may you rest in peace. You were such a great person and father figure to me. You always had so much patience for us all in your class and not once can I think back and remember you ever being mad at us. You always cared about your students and we all cared for you as well. Now that you are gone we think back and remember all the great moments that we shared with you and miss you greatly. "

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