Harold J. Grove

Harold Jesse (Jess) Grove, 67, passed away August 23, 2007 after a brief illness. He was born in Harrisburg, PA, the son of Harold W. and Fern J. Markey Grove. They and a sister preceded him in death.
Surviving are his widow, Joan Gearhiser Grove and 5 children: TJ Grove, Sydney Grove, Heather Wood, Heidi Penley, and Holly Grove. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren.

Jess was a graduate of Susquenita High School in Duncannon, PA and earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Recreation from The Pennsylvania State University.
Jess spent ten years in employment with various federal land management agencies: National Park Service as a recreation specialist, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, Tennessee Valley Authority and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He was proudest of his work preserving the Steamboat Bertrand (DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge) which sank in the Missouri River in 1865.

In 1972 he followed his dream of teaching by joining the faculty at Clemson University Department of Recreation and Park Administration (PRTM). He taught park planning, museum level interpretation, and methods of environmental interpretation. For 28 of his 34 year teaching career, his methods class led the costumed walking tours at Spring Jubilee in Pendleton. He was instrumental in the development of interpretation of Indian Culture at Keowee Toxaway State Park. To the disdain of many of his superiors, Jess preferred teaching to publishing or research. His students were the beneficiaries. Jess taught hundreds, and touched the lives of many. Among his graduates are attorneys, physicians and Park Service Superintendents.

Jess learned to study the worlds of nature and history from his father and grandfather. Together they explored riverbanks and battlefields. Students will tell you they had no clue they were learning until they realized a 90 minute lecture had passed in a nano-second, and spent hours pondering what this man had told them that day. Somehow Jess combined what he absorbed in childhood with an ability to stir curiosity. Jess spent parts of three decades working with a team of engineers and environmental scientists studying the North and South Carolina mountains and the Whitewater River corridor for the 'future' Duke Power Bad Creek Pumped Storage Station. His suggestions for identification and preservation of cultural resources are implemented today. Those who only hope to use a boat ramp in our mountain lakes, can also visit old home sites and daffodil beds deep in the forest, thanks to his foresight. Jess' contribution to local history and culture will be felt for years to come. His contribution to his family leaves a legacy born generations ago, but shines in the eyes of his children today.

Memorial contributions can be sent to: Friends of Gettysburg, PO Box 4622, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or Pendleton District Historical, Recreational, and Tourism Commission, 125 E. Queen St., Pendleton, SC 29670. Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons, is assisting the family.