Philip M. Grover

Philip was preceded in death by his mother, Madeleine Jacobs Stallings, his first wife, Mary Jemison Grover and his second wife, Edah Brittain Grover.

He is survived by his four adored children, Molly Grover Miller (Dwight), Birmingham; Elizabeth Grover Guffey (Steve), Morgantown, WV; John Calvin Stallings Grover (Beth Holley), Asheville, NC; and Madeleine Grover Warren (Tim), Savannah, GA. Philip loved and enjoyed his six grandchildren, Kathleen Simcoe (Owen); Rebecca Darby (John); Emily Northington (Wes); Eric Guffey (Regina), Walker Guffey (Amanda) and Keegan Guffey (Sara). He was also blessed with nine great grandchildren as well as other family and friends.

He attended Lakeview School, Birmingham University School, and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire. He graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering (Class of 1953) and was awarded a master’s degree in chemical engineering Practice from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also received an MBA from Samford University.

Philip served in the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps, and completed his tour of military service in Frankfurt, Germany in 1955.

He worked for Monsanto Chemical Company in Massachusetts and St. Louis, MO before returning to Birmingham. During his career he held management jobs at Woodward Iron Company, McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company, Alabama By-Products Company, and Drummond Company.

Philip’s contribution to the civic life of Birmingham included service on the Jefferson County and Alabama State Republican Executive Committees during the 1960’s. He was a Vice Chairman of the County Committee and was active in precinct organization. He served on the Board of Directors of the Shades Valley YMCA, and as its President, and the Birmingham Metropolitan YMCA, of which he was President from 1983 to 1986. He was active in Yale Alumni activities in the Birmingham Area and served as President of the local Yale Alumni Club, representing the local club on the National Association of Yale Alumni. He also served as President of the Alabama Chapter of the American Association of Individual Investors.

He also contributed to professional organizations in his career field. He served on the board of American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. In addition, he was on the Board of Directors of the American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute for a number of years, serving as its President in 1988.

Philip was a lifelong athlete for whom exercise was a great joy. He rowed on crew teams at Exeter and Yale. He was a long-time member of Mountain Brook Club and later, Lakeshore Foundation.

A memorial service to celebrate Philip’s life will be held at St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church, 1910 12th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27th. The family will greet friends immediately following the service.

The family suggests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution consider The Mary Jemison Grover Scholarship at The Altamont School, 4801 Altamont Road South, Birmingham, AL 35222, St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church, or YMCA of Greater Birmingham at 2101 4th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Grover family.