Lester G. Grotzinger

1929 - 2023

Lester George Grotzinger, 94, passed away peacefully Monday, July 24, 2023, at Homeland Center, in Harrisburg. He was born Feb. 3, 1929, in Renovo, Pa., the youngest of four children born to Aloysius B. Grotzinger and Margaret Schneider. After graduating from high school, he studied aeronautical engineering at Park's College/St. Louis University, in Missouri. Although he had to stop his studies to work and earn money, he resumed his college education at Carnegie Mellon University (then known as Carnegie Tech) in mechanical engineering. Because he also served in the Army National Guard during this time and continued to work, it took him nine years to complete his college degree; he graduated with honors. He also completed a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1961. Lester married his high school sweetheart, Mary Colleen Mackey, in 1951, and they eventually settled in Greensburg, where they raised their four children. He was a devoted husband and father and considered himself "very fortunate" for the family he created. His handyman skills enabled him to care for and maintain their home of nearly 60 years and their three acres of land, including designing and building an addition onto the house for Colleen. He had a long and successful career as a mechanical engineer at the Elliott Group, Jeannette, working on high-speed centrifugal compressors of diesel engine turbochargers. He held several patents on his designs and worked with some of the earliest computers available. During his retirement, Lester and Colleen enjoyed traveling all over the United States, as well as other countries. Lester cared for Colleen with love and compassion during the last six years of her life, never leaving her side as she suffered from dementia. He was also a devoted grandfather, visiting his grandchildren whenever he could, despite living far away from them, and writing to or speaking with them by video call when he could no longer visit. Lester was a lifelong student of history, politics and current affairs. He had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of American history. He loved political discourse and was a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party throughout his entire life. He was an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in his early retirement years and volunteered into his 80s at St. Bruno's Catholic Church each year for their Summer Festival. Lester had been an avid hiker and canoeist; he loved nothing more than his long hikes up Paddy's Run in Renovo, Pa., or on the Laurel Ridge Trail in Western Pa., or taking his children and nieces and nephews canoeing at Kettle Creek State Park in Renovo, Pa. Lester was preceded in death by his wife, M. Colleen Grotzinger; and his son, Carl D. Grotzinger. He is survived by his son, Richard (Susan) Grotzinger, of Spartanburg, S.C.; daughter-in-law, Gina Grotzinger, of Tulsa, Okla., daughter, Margaret Grotzinger (Mark), of Hummelstown, Pa.; and daughter, Mary Gabb (Henry), of Austin, Texas; nine grandchildren, Katie, Laura, Kirstin, Monica, David, Joshua, Julia, Rachel and Grace; six great-grandchildren, Nolan, Emma, Elle, Rosamund, June and Nathan; and two step-great-grandchildren, Claudia and Coleman. The family gives special thanks to the staff of Homeland Center and Homeland Hospice for their outstanding compassionate care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2023, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 925 Huron St., Renovo, followed by burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery, in Hyner, Pa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the HETRICK-BITNER FUNERAL HOME INC., Harrisburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests prayers and/or memorial donations to any of the following: St. Bruno Catholic Church, 1715 Poplar St., Greensburg, PA 15601; Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity, 212 Outlet Way, Greensburg, PA 15601; Western Pa Conservancy, 405 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg, PA 16648; or Homeland Center Benevolent Fund, 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg, PA 17102. Those wishing to share memories or condolences with the family are invited to visit www.BitnerCares.com.