Stewart Griggs

1918 - 2012

Stew greeted the world Sept. 11, 1918, in Gallupville, N.Y. He was born in his grandfather's farmhouse, where his father had been born many years before. He completed his life on Feb. 17, 2012. Stew was the only child of Dewitt and Mae Griggs of Oneonta, N.Y. He received his B.S. degree from Hartwick College and his medical degree from the University of Buffalo. Stew served his residency in pediatrics at the Milwaukee Children's Hospital. During World War II, he was a captain in the Army medical corps in the Philippines and treated the survivors of the Bataan death march.

Stew married his high school sweetheart, Helen Hallenbeck, "Punky," in 1942 and they celebrated many years of mutual happiness. He was the father of five children, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Stew was the first pediatrician in Green Bay, Wis. and his practice flourished there for nearly 40 years to his retirement. He was honored as a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Allergists. His always curious mind led him to a wide range of hobbies, building sailboats, homes and furniture, swimming, camping, skiing, wine-making, and playing chess and bridge, especially with his grandchildren. He and Punky enjoyed many years as active members of Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Green Bay.

In 1979, Stew and Punky moved to Sturgeon Bay, Wis., where they were active in many Door County organizations including Hope United Church of Christ. Following his retirement in 1983, Stew pursued watercolor painting and his pictures grace the walls of his children's homes. He also wrote his autobiography for his family, "This is the Life," subtitled "Son, Lover, Husband, Soldier, Father, Pediatrician, Allergist and Sailor." All those many roles brought him joy and satisfaction.

In 1994, Stew and Punky moved to Green Valley, Ariz., and have been active in Valley Presbyterian Church activities, Friends of Madera Canyon, and the Santa Rita Art League.

His family will miss his dry wit, said with a twinkle in his eye, his endless patience, his gentle nature, loving smile and his love for life.

Stew is survived by his wife, Punky Griggs, Green Valley, Ariz.; his children, Jacqueline (Steven) Smith, Green Valle,y Ariz.; Thomas (Mary) Griggs, Ada, Mich.; Peter (Linda) Griggs, Green Bay, Wis.; Barbara (Jeffrey) Ottum, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; and David (Michelle) Griggs, Ellettsville, Ind.; his grandchildren, Gregory (Karen) Smith, Portland, Ore.; David (Tracy) Smith, Montclair, N.J.; Daniel (Jenn) Frayer-Griggs, Pittsburgh, Penn.; Christina Griggs, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Benjamin (Jolene) Griggs, Stewart Christopher (Rebecca) Griggs, Amanda Griggs, all of Green Bay, Wis.; Michael Ottum, San Francisco, Calif.; Lisa (William) Holmes, Chicago, Ill.; Alexander Griggs, Los Angeles, Calif.; and Samantha (D.J.) Henley, Denver, Colo. ; his great-grandchildren, Elsa Smith, Vivienne Smith, Amahdi Shabaka, Jonah Frayer-Griggs, Peter Dylan Griggs, Alexis Cole, Sam Cole, Latham Griggs, Xavier Halverson, Kaya Elyse Halverson.

The celebration of Stew's life will be held on March 4 at 3 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church. Memorial gifts should be directed to the La Posada Foundation, 501 S. La Posada Circle, Green Valley, AZ, 85614. The family expresses their gratitude to La Via Memory Care staff and Odyssey Hospice for the tender care and love shown to Stew.