Dr. John Grobey passed away May 18, 2021. He taught Natural Resources Economics among other classes. He earned his PhD in economics from the University of Washington and had a graduate degree in forestry. As an undergraduate at UW, John Grobey sang in his fraternity choir and was a member of the ski team. He headed the Economic Research Institute at Humboldt and received a grant from the Timber Association to perform an economic analysis of the statewide timber industry. He taught at Humboldt for 34 years, and even returned to teach a class after retirement. 

For quite a few years he was very involved in Veteran's activities and especially in a local Veterans Honor Guard.  He served as a Navy SEAL and was proud to pin his own SEAL Trident on Louis Pavia (economics major, Class of 2009) at his graduation from SEAL Qualification Training in Coronado, CA. He was the Chairman of the Humboldt County Republican Central Committee from 1982-1985.