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David Joseph Griffin

1946 - 2014

BORN

1946

DIED

2014

About

Saint John's University St. John's University

David Griffin Obituary

David Joseph Griffin, 67

Cold Spring

February 14, 1946-January 4, 2014

Passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on January 4 at his home in Cold Spring, MN. Born to Richard and Florence Griffin at San Diego Naval Hospital on Valentine's Day 1946, he was the eldest of eleven children. Dave graduated from Benson High School. He studied biology at St. John's University, where he was an All-American football player, having played on the 1965 national championship team. From 1970 to 1976 he worked at the St. Cloud Children's Home as a counselor, after which he became a self-taught cabinetmaker, gardener, winemaker, and fruit tree farmer. With endless curiosity, he explored the world of Minnesota peach and apricot propagation, and worked passionately toward developing cold hardy fruit varieties. Dave loved nature and was a devoted steward of the earth. He was a builder and fixer, an independent thinker; he was wise, kind, humble, jolly, influential, and he had the courage to live the life he wanted.

Dave was preceded in death by his father, and nephews Kevin Jensen and Will Griffin. He is survived by his mother; best friend Carmen Converse; children Dan (Amanda), Ben (Jen), and Maggie of former spouse Mary Roos; siblings Kathy (Paul) Smaagaard, Tim (Holly Munson), Irene Jensen, Loretta, Jack (Trish Murphy), Karen (Eric) Haynes, Tom (Jude), Martha (Keith Thompson), Sarah (Greg) Pflaster, and Jim (Josie); and beloved grandchildren Liam, Ewen, Laney, Aubrey, and Jace; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends.

To be contacted with memorial service information or to share memories, please email [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, send memorials to "Dave's Garden Fund" at State Bank of Cold Spring, which will help ensure the legacy of Dave's work.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Cloud Times on Jan. 8, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for David Griffin

29 Entries

Bill Shane

January 6, 2015

I met David and Carmen about 8 years ago on their visit to the Michigan State University SW Research Farm as part of Dave's quest to develop a better peach.

With that meeting and numerous phone calls and emails since then I came to appreciate his probing mind and desire to know. I learned a lot from him.

There should be a hardy peach from Minnesota named Griffin in his honor and memory.

Dave Lebrun

June 4, 2014

God Bless You Dave!

Thanks for being so nice to us.

'Harcot' in MN, grafted with Dave's help.

Frank Forcella

March 3, 2014

Dave taught me how to graft fruit trees. His big plump fingers adeptly made successful bud grafts in a few seconds -- an impossibly short time -- and made me seem like a bumbling ninny. Now, all those trees, and the delectable fruit their bear each new year, are a lasting legacy to Dave.

February 14, 2014

I was a senior co-captain of the 1965 national championship football team and only recently learned of Dave's sudden and unexpected death. You have my sympathies on your great loss. I have not seen Dave much since college, but I can say without reservation that he was a terrific player, a soft spoken performer, and a wonderful teammate. He was not just a member of the '65 team but an essential player and a budding leader. It seems as though he had a lot to live for, which is more the tragedy of his loss. May he rest in peace in the earth he loved.
Mike Collins, SJU '66.

January 27, 2014

Leah Eberley Dougherty

Marv Johnson

January 17, 2014

Dave was liked and respected by all his H.S. classmates and teammates. Even more so respected by those who had to face him across the line of scrimmage. An example of his wry wit and quiet humor was the "lucky" unwashed game day t-shirt that he wore that brought all kinds of comments. Godspeed friend. My condolences to all that loved him.

January 15, 2014

David and all the Griffins were special, caring and fun people who made Benson a special place to live. Our deepest sympathy to you all. Paul and Jan Kittelson

January 14, 2014

Hugs and deepest sympathy to Carmen and all of Dave's family and friends. A real, live 'Renaissance man', grounded in the great green earth, belly laugh always at the ready, curiosity engaged and eager to find the diamonds in the rough among us, What a gift to have called him friend!

chel

Dina, Anéva, Philou (Grossman) Dubeaux

January 13, 2014

All of our sympathy to the family and friends of Dave who will miss him so much.

Carissa Eastham

January 12, 2014

Hugs to Carmen and Family. My fondest memories of Dave include extremely heavy inflatable mattresses while canoeing in the Boundary Waters, delicious peaches fresh off the tree that were protected by small cushions placed on the ground to catch them in case they fell before picking, and a one mile hike at Big Bend with a botanist and geologist that took us an hour to complete because it was just that interesting. I loved Dave's sincerity and curiosity about everything and will miss him. Love to all,

Kathy Kuebelbeck

January 12, 2014

David, you will be missed by so many people. You were an inspiration to many. With your many visits to the farm to help Tim with his vineyard, with your never ending smile and weird humor life will be so very different. May God bless all who mourn the loss of a very, very special person

Ruth (Radischat) Slivken

January 12, 2014

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the night sky." Dave's life was a blessing to all who knew him! 'Rene...you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

January 11, 2014

Danny, Ben, and Maggie,
We were sorry to hear about the unexpected passing of your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this sad time.
Jim and Marilyn Johnson

January 9, 2014

Our family is blessed for the time we were able to spend him. We love you Dave and will miss you greatly. Our thought and prayers are with the family.

Jason, Melissa, Ella and Ruby

January 9, 2014

This is a hard one to accept. Dave was a friend going back to our days in elementary school, high school and beyond. We hunted together, planted pines together, made ice cream the old fashioned way, shared books and ideas. He was a gracious host when I visited him at his Cold Spring home. Dave enjoyed life,loved nature and was always inquisitive. Thanks Dave for being a friend and a good man. Peace and Grace for the Journey. Until we meet again...
With Heartfelt Sympathy to the Griffin Family and Friends
James Holmes

January 9, 2014

We are shocked and so sad to hear of Dave's Untimely death. We hope to see you at the funeral if outsiders can come. Is there anything we can do ? God Bless you and his family. Germaine&Graham

?

Roger and Jan Illies

January 9, 2014

Our deepest sympathy to the Griffin family.

Maynard Meyer

January 9, 2014

So sorry to hear of Dave's passing. Prayers and condolences go out to his family.

Tom Schutta

January 8, 2014

Dave taught me some valuable lessons when I was a freshman football player at St. John's. I always respected him. He lived life the way he wanted and though our paths did not cross often after SJU, I feel a great loss knowing that he is gone. My condolences to his family.

jim griffin

January 8, 2014

Dave is hard to describe....

and we
are better off
because of that....

positive, free thinking and nonjudgmental, in my book!!!

consistently.........

Dave ... I could always rely on that.....I will miss him.

brother Jim

January 8, 2014

It is hard to believe that Dave is gone. I have lost a good friend. There is now an empty hole that was once filled with smiles and laughter and many intriguing conversations of plants, trees and grapes. He loved life with the childish wonder of nature and the world around him and was willing to share those thoughts with anyone that had the time to sit and listen. I was privilaged to know him.

David Schorn

January 8, 2014

To give yourself to better mankind and nature as well is the greatest trait any person could have. David did both and will have a lasting legacy in the hearts of many. Griffen's on behalf of all the Schorn's, we offer our love and support .

Bill McGeary

January 8, 2014

Dave was a good friend from High School in Benson, Mn. He was always so nice to me.

January 8, 2014

So very sorry to hear of the passing of your Father
May He rest in peace
Dick,Mae Kampa

January 8, 2014

Dave will be missed by all his classmates from Benson High School. Lee Himley,class of '64

Karen Wenner

January 8, 2014

Dave was one of gentlest man I have known. R.I.P my friend.

Ron Anderson

January 8, 2014