Roland “Ward” Grosz | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: December 11, 1924 , Died: September 25, 2017

    Roland "Ward" Grosz peacefully passed away Friday, September 25, 2017 at the Carolina East Medical Center.

    He was born on December 11, 1924 in Yankton, South Dakota to Paul and Ada (Van der Linden) Grosz. Ward served in WWII as a B29 Navigator and was awarded numerous medals, including the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for discovering a safe route for airplanes returning from bombing raids over Japan, saving countless American soldiers' lives. He retired as a major from the Army Air Corps.

    Following the war, Ward married the love of his life Beverly Evans. They were happily married for 52 years until her death in 1997. He graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and later obtained an Executive MBA from Stanford University. His career in mining took him and his family to several locations around the world causing his wife to state that "move" was the dirtiest four-letter word she knew. Ward and Beverly finally settled in Washington, NC where Ward retired as President, North Carolina Phosphate Company. He was active in the community through Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington. Ward loved spending time with family and friends, playing golf and poker, hunting, woodworking, "creative" cooking where recipes were seldom used and riding in his 1924 Buick with his dog and favorite beverage.....chocolate malt.

    Ward is survived by his daughter Susan (Jim) Hildebrand of Memphis, TN; son Don Grosz of New Bern, NC; sister Paula Dittman of Spearfish, SD; his granddaughter Stacy (Robert) Hildebrand Johnson of Memphis, TN; two great granddaughters, Lily and Mia; and many other loving nieces, nephews and relatives. Ward was preceded in death by his wife Beverly, son John, brother Donald and his parents, Paul and Ada Grosz.

    A brief grave-side service will be held Friday September 29th at 10:30 a.m. at Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC.

    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, the Alzheimer's Association or the P.E.O. Cottey College Susan Hildebrand Scholarship Fund, 1000 Austin Blvd. Nevada, MO 64772.

    Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Grosz family.