Edward Lee Grubb

Edward Lee “Ed” Grubb was born May 16, 1934, in Wenatchee, Washington. He earned his associate degree from Wenatchee Valley College in 1954, his bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Washington in 1956, his master's degree from the University of Oregon in 1960, and his PhD from the University of Washington in 1965.

Education became Ed's life's work. He joined Portland State University in 1966 and spent more than three decades in its School of Business, progressing from assistant professor to associate professor and professor. Along the way, he served in several academic leadership roles, including Assistant/Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research. Ed loved being a professor and was deeply dedicated to his students. He retired in 1999 after a career that also included published research and writing.

Ed married his high school sweetheart, Carol, and together they raised three children, Melissa, Paul, and Elizabeth. They built a second home at Black Butte, Oregon, with dreams of family gatherings filled with children and grandchildren. Carol preceded Ed in death in 1997, followed by their daughter Melissa in 1999.

Ed later married Joan “Joanie” Espe, and together they shared many happy years in Sun Valley, Idaho, and Tubac, Arizona. In Sun Valley, Ed returned to one of his great passions, skiing, and continued to ski well into his 80s. During the summers, he traded his skis for golf clubs. He and Joanie loved playing golf together in both Sun Valley and Tubac.

Ed loved life. He loved the outdoors, hiking, camping, yard work, Husky football, Oregon Pinot Noir, country music, and especially Waylon and Willie. An avid reader, he started his mornings with coffee and the newspaper. He enjoyed entertaining, could hold a conversation at almost any dinner table, loved a good debate, and rarely kept his opinion about what was happening in the world to himself.

Above all, Ed was always a teacher. Whether in a university classroom, around the dinner table, or in conversation with his children and grandchildren, the professor in Ed was never far away. A story could easily become a lecture, and there was almost always a little “Professor Grubb” counsel to go along with it.

Ed is survived by his wife, Joanie; his son, Paul, and granddaughter Melissa; his daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, John; grandson Malachi and his wife, Hannah; step-grandson Jonathan and his wife, Meghan, and their children, Owen and Molly; and step-granddaughter Amanda and her husband, Teiva, and their son, Kayden.

Ed spent the final three and a half years of his life back in Oregon, surrounded by people who cared for him and family who loved him. Even in his later years, his personality remained. He still loved country music and could make those around him laugh by singing one of his little ditties.

A Celebration of Life for Ed will be held Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Wilsonville Old Church & Pub, 30340 SW Boones Ferry Road, Wilsonville, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association.