Timothy P. Grothe, 54, beloved husband, father and dear friend, passed away on January 1, 2010 following a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, his two daughters, Brianna and Kiera, his mother, Elsie Grothe, his brothers and spouses, Michael (Sherrie), David (Reggie) and Patrick (Jane), nieces and nephews and numerous in-laws.
Tim was born on November 26, 1955 in Sidney, Nebraska and lived in Potter, Nebraska until his family moved to Lompoc in 1966. Tim graduated from Lompoc High School in 1974 and in 1980 he received his degree in Industrial Arts from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Tim worked in the grocery business for 33 years, working for Scolari's, Lucky's and Albertson's. Tim loved his friends and customers and always had a cheerful smile and a friendly word to share.
Tim's hobby and passion was woodworking. He handcrafted many pieces of fine furniture over the years. He also liked to fix things and was a skilled handyman. Tim enjoyed planting a vegetable garden every summer. He was a Nebraska boy at heart and his favorite crops were corn and popcorn. Tim loved the outdoors, especially camping and kayaking with his family and backpacking with his friends. Tim was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Lompoc. He worked on the Buildings and Grounds Committee and in the church vegetable garden.
A memorial service, celebrating Tim's life, will be held on January 9, 2010 at 1 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Lompoc. Memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Lompoc, 1600 Berkeley Dr., Lompoc 93436 or to Serenity House, 900 Calle de los Amigos #1014, Santa Barbara 93105.