Groh interviewed Cheryl Montag, current J.F. Burns principal, for her teaching position at the school.
“The minute I met him I knew I wanted to work for him. I spent 12 wonderful years as a teacher and then his assistant. He educated by example. He always put his students and staff first to ensure that every child would reach their highest potential,” she recalled. ”We were a great team and had similar philosophies, which grew into a very close friendship. He was always there to guide me when I needed anything. I strive to treat people the way he did – with respect and sincerity.”
During his first 10 years in education, Groh taught and coached in Russelville (Brown County), Jackson Twp. (Preble County) and West Carrollton before joining Kings as a principal. For the first 16 of years, he served at Kings Elementary and Middle School. He spent the next 13 years at J.F. Burns Elementary School before retiring in 1997.
“Kings has lost a legend. He touched the lives of so many. He was instrumental in making Kings into the great school district it is today with such a strong sense of community,” Montag said. “Mr. Groh was a very classy gentleman. He always found humor in life and kept everything in perspective. I admired that he made every decision with the best interest of his students in mind. He had a purity of heart and purity of intention.”
Groh leaves behind his wife Jane Ann Groh; son, Edward L. Groh II (Julie); step-children, Lezlie Sterchi (Jim), Susan Bode (Baxter), D. Nathan Hoskins (Beth), Valerie Fee, Joe Fee, and Geoff John (Gina); and 13 grandchildren. Although the couple retired to Florida, Ed and Jane spent their summers in Maineville.
“I am thankful to his family for sharing him with our community. He would want his legacy to be that everyone treat each other with the respect and kindness he carried with him every day,” Montag said. “He touched my life in such a very special way. I have the utmost respect for how he lived his life with grace and humility. He followed the Golden Rule and never swayed from his core values. How blessed I feel that our lives were brought together.
Groh was a graduate of Winchester High School in Kentucky in 1952 where he played basketball, football, and track. He earned both his bachelor’s and masters from Eastern Kentucky University with additional studies at Miami Univerity, Xavier University, Wright State University, and University of Cincinnati. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserve Unit in Wilmington for six years.
Military graveside services will be held Monday, June 26, at 11 a.m. at the Gates of Heaven Memorial Gardens, 1100 Montgomery Road in Cincinnati, followed by the memorial at J.F. Burns Elementary School, 8471 Columbia Road in Maineville.
Contact this contributing writer at lisa.knodel@gmail.com.
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