Richard J. "Dick" Groch

Richard "Dick" John Groch

BORN, Toledo, Ohio 1940

Dick was a graduate of Olivet College with a Master's Degree from Central Michigan University and did additional post graduate work at University of Toledo. At Olivet College, he was a member of the Basketball team where he was named 1st Team N.A.I.A. for four consecutive years.

Dick taught in the South Redford School District before joining the staff at Port Huron Junior College in 1964. He served as a teacher and a coach. He coached basketball, baseball, and cross country. His baseball team made three appearances in the Junior College World Series. Dick was named Junior College Coach of the Year in 1970, 1972, and 1976. Over 40 of his players had signed professional baseball contracts.

He was inducted into the Port Huron Hall of Fame and in 1998 into the National Junior College Hall of Fame. Dick is also a member of the Olivet College Athletic Hall of Fame and the St. Clair County Community College Hall of Fame.

Groch also coached on the international level. He was on the coaching staff for the Pan-American Games on two separate occasions and was the pitching coach on the 1984 Olympic Team and various World Championship Teams.

Following his coaching career, he worked in professional baseball with the Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and most recently served as an executive in the front office for the Milwaukee Brewers until retirement. During his career, Groch signed a number of Major League Players, most notable being Derek Jeter.

He was honored by the American Baseball Association with its Meritorious Service Award and also by the National Junior College with its Service Award for his contributions to two-year college athletics.

Groch was the author of two baseball publications, "Baseball the Major League Way" and "Mastering Baseball".

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Nancy, and their three children; daughter, Julie (Dr. John) Aucar; sons, Brian (Lori) Groch, Dr. Nicholas (Dr. Melanie) Groch. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, John Adam (Dr. Megan) Aucar and Erin (Nick) Lenssen, Kelsey, Dr. Carter, Dawson, Owen, Skeylar, Ronin, and Raina Groch; great-granddaughter, Joanna Lenssen; one brother, David (Donna) Groch; niece, Debi (Don) Anson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Harriet Groch; in-laws, Ralph and Charlotte Stadelman; and nephew, Douglas Groch.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Grace Memorial - Smith Chapel, 1525 Hancock Street, Port Huron, Michigan, 48060. Funeral mass will take place at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 1000 Michigan Ave., Marysville, Michigan 48040, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with visiting starting at 10:30 a.m. Father Arthur Baranowski will officiate.

Memorials are suggested to Blue Water Area Humane Society or Blue Water Hospice.

For information and guestbook, visit www.gracemem.com