Benjamin D Grove

Benjamin D. Grove, 88, of Marietta, GA passed away December 28, 2012. He was born to the late Frank and Naomi Grove on December 27, 1924 in Fairmont, WV. After graduation from high school, Ben joined the United States Army Air Corps and served during WWII as a pilot. Ben earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Fairmont State College and his Aeronautical Engineering degree from West Virginia University. After graduation from college, he was employed by the Glen L. Martin Company in Baltimore where he worked on projects related to the US Space Program, and in 1967 he moved his family to Marietta where he began working for Lockheed-Martin. Ben always had a love for airplanes and flying. He rose through the ranks of the GA Civil Air Patrol to Colonel and served as Georgia Wing Commander 1994-97. He was a very loving and caring person that people often described as a “sweet man”, always ready to lend a helping hand. He was nonjudgmental and viewed everyone as equal, no matter what walk of life they came from. He was a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church. Ben is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty Grove, son, Benjamin D. Grove, Jr. and his wife Robin, daughters, Diana Grove, Connie Carey and her husband Steven, and Nancy Grove Alvarez, granddaughter Maddalena Alvarez and her father Bernardo Alvarez. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 11:00 am at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 505 Powers Ferry Road Southeast, Marietta, GA 30067. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 pm at H.M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill. The family will receive flowers, or those wishing to do so may make a donation in memory of Ben to John Knox Presbyterian Church. Arrangements entrusted to H.M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill, 1157 Old Canton Rd, Marietta, GA 30068. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hmpattersoncantonhill.com.