Deceased June 9, 2018
View alumni profile (log in required)
Read obituary
In Memory
I first met Chuck Grimstad the beginning of freshman year. We lived on the second floor of Stearns and became fast friends. We sang tenor all through college, and Chuck became co-chairman of the Glee Club. His love of music continued throughout his life as an active member of the Pittsburgh Oratorio Society and supporter of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Chuck was especially devoted to the campus newspaper, The Student. In his senior year, he was managing editor and received recognition with the Samuel Bowles prize in journalism.
As roommates, we spent endless hours discussing campus affairs, he from a journalistic perspective and I from a student government point of view. He majored in both political science and history and was a skilled debater. His keen intellect was formally acknowledged by his election to Phi Beta Kappa.
Following graduation, Chuck, along with fraternity brothers David Lundeen ’54 and Seth Dubin ’54, entered Harvard law school. After graduating and passing the bar exam, he was called by Uncle Sam into the Army and served at Fort Dix, N.J., rising to the rank of corporal.
In 1959 he joined the Pittsburgh law firm of Kirkpatrick, Pomeroy, Lockhart and Johnson, where he became a partner, and practiced until 1998. On April 20, 1963, he married Julia Howard, a native of Pittsburgh and graduate of Wheaton (Mass.) College. He was an active member of Calvary Episcopal Church, serving as vestryman and junior and senior warden. He was also on the Board of the Ellis School in Shadyside.
Chuck died on June 9, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Julia Howard Grimstad; three daughters, Katharine Quinn, Ann Lee and Betsy; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Little could I have imagined in September 1950 that 68 years later I would be writing the obituary of such a bright and warm-hearted friend.
James J. Barnes ’54