Richard Grote

Richard Spencer Grote of Simi Valley, California passed away peacefully on May 13, 2022 at age 86 – surrounded by his children Jeannie Lee Novak and Christopher Lyon Grote. Born to Raymond and Elaine Grote in Chicago, Illinois on August 12, 1935, Richard was the eldest child of four sons. He was predeceased by his brothers Kenneth and David and is survived by his wife Sharon Grote, brother Philip Grote, children Jeannie Novak and Christopher Grote, and stepchildren Marcus Barnett, Paula Greenall, and Suzanne Bergen – along with nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Richard graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Los Angeles with Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science degrees in Mathematics. He met his first wife, MaryLou Novak, when they were both working at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, California. Richard and MaryLou moved to San Diego, California – where they raised two children, Jeannie and Chris, while Richard worked as a mathematician and senior scientist at Convair (later purchased by General Dynamics) and Science Applications Incorporated (SAIC).
Richard’s brother David and wife Virginia (“Ginnie”) introduced him to his current wife, Sharon Barnett, in 1986. Married for 35 years, Richard and Sharon enjoyed spending time with family, traveling throughout the U.S., watching sports – and playing Scrabble, cribbage, and gin rummy.
With a keen appreciation for both the arts and sciences, Richard Grote loved music, nature, and woodworking. He was also a dedicated value investor. A voracious reader and book collector, Richard had an incessant thirst for knowledge. Always a problem-solver, he enjoyed game theory, logic problems – and of course, the fascinating world of mathematics.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army in Richard's memory. A website has also been created to celebrate Richard's life: http://richardgrote.com
Memorial Service
Date: Saturday - June 18, 2022
Time: 11:00 AM Pacific Time
Location:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
5028 Cochran Street
Simi Valley, CA 93063-3063
The service is open to the public. Family members will be speaking at the memorial and Jeannie will be performing one of her songs. The church will also be singing a few of Richard’s favorite hymns. A luncheon will be provided after the service.