Daniel Grover 193-2021

September 1, 2021 — I got the call at 8:14 a.m., August 1, 2021, from Jeff Grover, Dan’s oldest son. Danny Grover had passed away. I was prepared for the finality, but I kept believing that Dan would somehow overcome the serious health conditions that had stricken him. That final call was tough to take for many of us, family and friends, but somehow my best buddy was no longer on the other end of the phone, joking about old times, talking about our kids, or complaining about stuff that old guys complain about.

Danny was a close personal friend all the way from kindergarten through college, and beyond for life. Danny was on the KU gymnastics team with me and competed for four years. We took most of the same classes together, majoring in Physical Education in The KU School of Education. With pride we were going to be teachers and coaches and make our mark as professionals. Danny also excelled in golf and bowling, both sports offered professional career possibilities for him, but he wanted to be a teacher.

Dan spent a few years teaching and coaching at the high school level before he went back to school and finished his Doctorate Degree from the University of Wyoming. He landed a teaching/coaching position at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where he wore many hats serving the NSU Department of Physical Education. Yes, this kid with the big ears, the contagious ear-to-ear grin, and a giggle laugh that was uniquely Grover, somehow became best-of-friends with me, that skinny, freckle-faced, red head. I was best man at his wedding, and he was best man at mine. Our kids (his 3 and my 3) were all friends even from afar. We visited often.

Danny was a talented yet humble man, with a passion for sport and family. He was a master teacher, a renowned golf coach, and a gifted storyteller. Danny Grover did not want a funeral, an obituary, or any fuss about his passing. He wanted it only for family. His three children (Jeff, Sheri, and Alan) gave me permission to write some of my thoughts to share with our KU Gymnastics Team members and our classmates from the Lawrence High School Class of 1956. Danny would be OK with this note, and he asked his kids to spread his ashes on the golf grounds of the Cherokee Springs Golf Course in Tahlequah, a course that Danny designed.

Rest in Peace my gifted Buddy. Until we meet again,
Bob Lockwood

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