Dennis Lee McGroarty

Dennis was a 1960 graduate of Hammond High School and attended Valparaiso University,

1960-61. In 1965, he earned his B.S. degree from Purdue University’s Wildlife Biology program.

At Purdue, Dennis met his loyal and loving wife, Estelle (Beihl) McGroarty whom he married on

August 27, 1967. From 1965-1967 he served as wildlife area manager of the Kingsbury and

Adderbury State Game Areas in Northern Indiana. From 1965-1971, Dennis was a member of

the Indiana National Guard, and in 1971 he earned his M.S. in Entomology at Purdue University.

In 1972, Dennis and Estelle moved to East Lansing, Michigan, eventually settling down in Holt,

Michigan where they raised their two children, Michael (Michelle) McGroarty and Kathleen (Ines)

McGroarty-Torres. Completing his formal education, Dennis earned his PhD in Entomology from

Michigan State University in 1977.

Dennis was an amazing man. The stories he told were mesmerizing…and usually hilarious.

Despite his occasional gruffness, people loved talking with Dennis because he was interesting,

and because he had a way of making them believe they were interesting too. People felt special

and important when they were with Dennis. His sincerity, calming presence, and genuine

engagement were as legendary as his sense of humor. He loved to make kids laugh.

Dennis spent his life teaching people of all ages about biology, conservation, and the beauty of

the natural world. He was an adjunct professor of biology at Lansing Community College from

1975-2014 and served as a lecturer at Michigan State University in the late 1980s and early

1990s. Dennis was proud of being on the cutting edge of modern education, teaching some of

the first virtual courses at LCC. He also challenged students with field trips that provided

hands-on experiences in destinations as close as the local bog or as far off as the rain forests of

Costa Rica. Dennis was always excited to point out the specific insects, plants, and wildlife that

helped define the ecological niche. He shared his knowledge with countless children throughout

the Lansing area. This included catching critters in rivers and streams with the Cub Scouts,

saving neighborhood homes from unwanted bats and rodents, sharing his collection of animal

skins and skulls, and doing insect dissections in his grandchildren’s classrooms.

Dennis was an avid outdoorsman who was most happy in a fishing boat or a goose blind. He

was a capable fly-tyer, taxidermist, waterfowl carver, beekeeper, gardener, and collector of

critters, enjoying his hobbies with his children and grandchildren. He and Estelle traveled the

world and enjoyed the ecology of places like Belize, the Galapagos Islands, Spain, Ireland,

Mexico, and many places in the U.S. But his favorite destination was always his cottage on

Loon Lake with his family and friends.

Dennis leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Estelle, his son Michael and daughter Kathleen, his

grandchildren Avery McGroarty, Joseph McGroarty, Kaitlyn McGroarty, Estevan Torres, Diego

Torres, and Clara Paz Torres. Daughter-in-law Michelle McGroarty and son-in-law Ines Torres

also held very special places in his heart. He leaves behind many loving cousins, nieces,

nephews and friends with whom he was always ready to share a drink and a story.

Dennis taught all his family members what it means to show unconditional love and support. He was

incredibly proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren and always showed up to cheer them

on. Over the years, he attended countless swimming and gymnastics meets, soccer games,

band concerts, theatrical productions, and dance recitals. And he was always ready with big

hugs and words of wisdom when the curtains closed and the scores were tallied. He would

remind us to “go with the flow” and not to “sweat the small shit.” His words resonate with us still,

and we hope to continue making him proud.

Dennis served several terms as a deacon and elder at Holt Presbyterian Church and

Eastminster Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be held for Dennis in the springtime at

Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Lansing. In lieu of flowers, take a kid fishing or on a

walk through the woods; contributions can be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church.