Rick was a  loving husband, as well as a great father and grandfather.  Furthermore, Rick was an officer and gentleman, a true Great American - a great loss for his family, friends and this country.  While several individuals described Rick more eloquently, I always said that he was like a marshmallow held over the fire a bit to long, which after catching fire is burnt on the outside, but sweet and soft on the inside.  Rick, we'll miss you wit, wisdom and patriotism.   

At Eielson AFB in Alaska in the early 80's, Rick  was our next door neighbor. My father was TDY and Rick went with me on a Boy Scout Father and Son canoe trip. That was the type of man he was.  He was a second Father to me and I will always fondly remember him. 


I went to work for Rick at Ball Aerospace after retiring from WPAFB.  I actually knew him before I went to Ball and worked several of the programs for which Rick had Ball contracts.  However, I did not begin to know the real and wonderful person he was until I worked with him ever day and am proud to say we remained friends after he and I both retired from Ball.  I will miss the wonderful evenings with he and Dureena having drinks and Appetizers at several of his favorite places.  God bless you Dureena and family and I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts always.  As soon as we can get out again, lets have those Brats and Tots and a Bloody Mary at the Kings Table again and remember a wonderful man!

I tried to stop by for dinner whenever business brought me to data.  Rick had lots of stories about him time in the service, we'd share memories if Pittsburgh things, talk about the Steelers (Rick was a big fan), and sometimes he'd throw science questions at me when he read something interesting in the popular press short on detail.  Rick was a great guy to work with and be a friend of.  I grieve.

Rick and I flew together at Eielson AFB on the RC-135 Cobra Ball reconnaissance airplane.  He was one of the real characters in our squadron.  Quick with a joke.  Always friendly.  Good mission crew commander.  We both survived the Ides of March crash in 1981.  Fortunately we continued to cross paths at Wright-Patt, Cobra Ball memorials, and PMI events.  He will be remembered.  Good bye Rick.

In the early 70s,  I was blessed to be teamed with Rick at Griffiss AFB, NY. He was our crew's EWO, and I was his "baby" gunner fresh from Castle AFB B-52 tech school. Our crew had total confidence in his ability to defend our aircraft. Rick was a wonderful mentor with a quiet, yet chipper demeanor. Gonna miss ya, Rick!

Fly

In City of Steel Spawned
A Will that sought sharply to Aspire, To
a poor ode, an ode Of Homer
Of Psyche's flight: a Joker, Poker, Ogre

This soul sought far
Into The Last Frontier
But close to us
For loved them, far and near

With Her he'd Borne 
One Strength and Noble Two
In Major ways
Were these to Major dear

But Major did to Ares pray
This Dog of War
For God is Rex
Pro Amor Patriae Nostra Lex

We keep as Rule of Thumb:
Blackbirds do fly
For thine soul they too shall come
For in the end U2 shall die

Borne, lived and still above the clouds
On many evening, even now
I spy: A Spy
Above the clouds, In Flight!

I see it! I see it NOW!
I say: I see thine spirit fly

For spirit thine flew and flies
For sprits such as thine cans't ever die
But destined are to ever fly

Mortui Sunt
Ut Liberi vivamus
Alatus Hussarii
Virtuti Militari


Just heard about the passing of Rick Grove.  So sad to lose another good man.  We first met in Alaska flying the COBRA BALL mission in the late 1970s. He was a flawless MT and quickly upgraded to Instructor position and eventually became the mission commander, a  positioned titled Tactical Coordinator (TC).  As I recall he was getting a check ride in the TC position on 15 March 1981 when the Ball crashed on Shemya.  About that event, he told me that he was actually knocked out during the crash but revived quickly enough to escape serious injury.   Six other crewmembers perished in that crash.  Yes.  God saved him that day.  From our time together on Shemya in the crew lounges, I can positively state that Rick was a master kibitzer and pretty darn good ZOTS player.  He always flashed that big smile of his and, when he laughed, he had one of those almost growling laughs from deep within somewhere.  He was a good man, faithful husband and exceptional Air Force officer.   He will be missed.  Please accept the Freeman family deepest sympathies.

I have known Rick since 1991 when we became coworkers. Several years later, he became my boss.  "Uncle Fester" came across rough on the outside but had a heart of gold that would do anything for you.  He encouraged me, often times mentoring me, and mostly just became my friend.  I'm going to miss seeing him at the AOC parties or texting with him about upcoming Broadway shows at the Schuster.  Dureena and family, I have tried to come up with just the right words to say but I'm at a loss.  Prayers for the family & God's Speed Rick!  Q

Rich & I worked together for over 17 years. He tried to convey the persona of a crusty old Uncle Fester but everybody knew  that under that skin resided a real gentleman who treated everyone with kindness and dignity. We'll miss you Uncle Fester.

I’m sorry to learn of Rick’s passing & send my condolences to his loved ones & friends. I worked with Rick for many years & have pleasant memories of those times with him. A good & honorable man who will be missed. Godspeed Rick!

Dureena & family.  I am so sorry for your loss.  Rick was a great guy.  I met him when I first came up to the IDAL to work.  Terry & I enjoyed sitting with you & Rick at the annual AOC Christmas party.  We will keep you & your family in our heart & prayers. 

Where I have gone I am not so small.  My soul is as wide as the world is tall.  I have gone to answer the call, the call of the One who takes care of us all.  Where you look, you will find me there.  In the heart of a rose.  In the heart of a prayer.  On butterfly wings, on wings of my own.  To You, I am gone.  But I’m never alone...I am home.

I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Rick.  I worked with Rick at Ball Aerospace and he was always nice to me.  He loved his wife, kids, and grandkids.  He talked fondly of all of you.  I will keep all of you in my prayers.  I'm really sorry Doreen!

Rick has been the leader and mentor to so many, I was fortunate to be one.  Under his wing, I was privileged to be involved and surrounded by the best of the best in our field of expertise.  We have all achieved greater skills because of his knowledge, stubbornness, thoughtfulness, and finally kind heartedness.  Our technical community is more, because of his presence.  

Sad to see him go, yet so proud for the opportunity to know he and Durenna

I wonder what he and Barry McD are scheming up now !!!  

      Love to you all
              Barry and Mary Rice

Rick “The Eagle” Grove possessed one of the most memorable personalities of the wonderful individuals who have enriched my life.  A unique wit and a gruff exterior that barely hid a heart of pure gold, Rick was a deeply cherished family friend and a rock upon whom my daughters could depend. 

A fellow survivor of the tragic crash of the RC-135S Cobra Ball II aircraft in a blizzard on the night of March 15, 1981, Rick provided the mature rallying point the rest of us could depend. Many years later, my family found he filled the same roll for them. He and Dureena were always there while my daughters attended school at Ohio State while Viv and I were down in Texas. No favor was too much for him to grant. And he never failed to call me after a month or so just to see how I was faring. It was never about him, always about others. 

As he flies west, he leaves a legacy that is rich with treasured anecdotes of one of this world’s most unique souls. 

This is not a farewell Rick as you’ll always be vibrant in my memories. We’ll talk again. 

OBITUARY

Richard James Grove

15 April, 1946 – 5 December, 2020

Tobias Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel

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