Vern Ellis Grimshaw

Vern Ellis Grimshaw, 87, of Hacienda Heights, California passed away on November 9, 2021. He was born on April 5, 1934 in Goble, Oregon, to the late Raymond and Golda Grimshaw. He was the youngest of nine children. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon in 1951, he attended Oregon State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1955. On July 30, 1956, he married Marilyn Valene Pettichord in Portland, Oregon.


In 1955 he began his career with Union Oil. During his 35 years with Union Oil he held numerous management level positions, predominately in Transportation Planning & Pipeline Design and Engineering & Operations. He was instrumental in the development and construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) and was involved as director, officer or owner's representative in the management of several joint ventures including the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), Yellowstone Pipeline Company, Cook Inlet Pipeline Company, Ventura Pipeline System, Chicap Pipeline Company, Southcap Pipeline Company, West Texas Gulf Pipeline Company, Kuparuk Pipeline Company and Point Arguello Pipeline Company. Although the name Union Oil changed to Unocal during his 35 years, his dedication to the company never waned and in 1986 he was promoted to Vice President of Unocal Pipeline Company and Manager of Pipeline Operations.


He lent his knowledge and expertise as co-author of the published work Transportation of Petroleum (a section of "A Handbook of Energy Systems Engineering") that has been referenced many times since being published in 1985.


After retiring from Union Oil/Unocal in 1990, he continued as a consultant providing operational audits and compliance reviews for liquid pipeline and terminal companies to assess operation performance and compliance with industry standards and agency regulations. He developed spill response plans for companies across the United States and assisted pipeline companies and individuals by authoring white papers for various research projects. He was always proud of the work and services he provided, especially as a member of a consulting firm that helped the St. Bernard Parish government after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Though he experienced very harsh conditions, he was there to help in anyway the Parish needed and provided much needed support to a community in crisis.


Though his work required him to travel for business across the United Stated, he always made time for family and friends. Because he was always traveling, he had his fair share of traveling woes and close calls. Once close call that our family remembers quite vividly was one of his trips to Chicago. As he headed for O'Hare International Airport to return home, he took a wrong turn and ended up missing his flight. That flight would end up crashing off the end of the runway, leaving a lot of worried people in California. He immediately notified his family and co-workers that he was safe and not on the flight.


He was active in the Southern California Patriot Guard Riders and a contributor to many charitable organizations, including Meals on Wheels and Friends of the Griffith Observatory. He was active in the San Gabriel & Pomona Valley Polio Support Group and he stayed in touch with high school and college friends by helping to coordinate reunions and get-togethers. Vern remained friends and stayed in contact with his Union Oil/Unocal and consulting co-workers up until his passing.


Always needing a project to work on, he designed and built two homes, one he and Marilyn lived in since 1979 and one in Temecula, California.


Vern is survived by four children - Michael V. Grimshaw of Hacienda Heights, California, David R. Grimshaw (Krista) of Lake Elsinore, California, Susan C. McClelland (Tim) of Smethport, Pennsylvania and Jeff A. Grimshaw (Pauline) of Huntington Beach, California. Vern is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. Family was the most important thing in his life. He was very giving and made every effort possible to make sure his grandchildren and great grandchildren knew their Grandpa and Grandma. Vern's legacy will be remembered by many.


He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn (2019), his grandson Jeremy Grimshaw (2011), his parents and all of his siblings.


Visitation will be held on December 2nd from 9AM to 11AM at Forest Lawn Covina Hills followed by a graveside service at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels City of Industry or to a charity of one's choice in Vern's name.


A Celebration of Vern's Life will be held at a later date.