Mike Grube Memorial
Rookie Hall of Fame Archive!
The Mike Grube Memorial - Rookie
Hall of Fame trophy is given out each year to outstanding rookie paddlers
that participate in the Indiana Division USCA races. For years Mike Grube
spent considerable time and energy to bring the sport of canoe racing to
others. The trophy is but a small token of respect for his efforts. See below
for other detailed pictures and the written address.
Rookie Hall of Fame!
2008 |
Brian Beato, Steve Horney, Robert Wise |
2007 |
Noel Schutt, Steve Schwinn, Matt Conrad, Meghan McDonough |
2006 |
Bill Arnold, Victoria Ernsberger, Scott Gould, Amanda Hazel, Dan Kennelly,
Josh Quintel, |
2005 |
Joe Johnson, Candice Martin, Andy Wait, Wendy Brinson, Mark Crettol |
2004 |
Matt Meersman, Jack Wait, Nancy Sawyer, Ted Beatty, Guy Gilman, |
2003 |
Devann Benson, Sonja Gilman, Pam Metts, Alex Wait, Brent Ernsberger |
2002 |
Roger Stark, John Puetz, Ronnie Beach, Paul Kane, Doug Dorsam |
2001 |
Sarah McKibbin, Brian McKibbin, Steve Peterson |
Michael Alan Grube, born May 18, 1952, to Walter and Louise Eddington
Grube of Rochester, Indiana, where he was raised. Second oldest of four siblings,
Connie, Janice, and Jerry, he built his first boat with the Bailey boys and
started paddling at age 19. A roofer by profession, a naturalist at heart,
he married Regina Walleseke in 1972 then divorced in 1978 never to remarry.
A primary focus of Mike's life was his only child, Shannon, who became a
world class kayaker and national champion. Enjoying a primitive life style,
Mike was content being with his son and paddling friends in the wilderness.
Although Mike had a rough-cut manner, his Indiana paddling friends primarily
remember his soft heart for helping new paddlers. A free spirit and
non-conforming adventurer, Mike would paddle anything that floated and felt
most at home out of doors. Mike served in the Indiana Army National Guard
and as president of the USCA Indiana Division. With his racing focus on
participation, Mike raced with enough gusto to earn state paddling trophies
several years. From Olympic kayaks to aluminum canoes, Mike was a well-versed
and varied paddler. He volunteered to help many paddling organizations, the
United States Canoe Association, the United States Canoe/Kayak Team, the
Wabash Valley Canoe Club, and the Indianapolis Canoe Racing Council to name
a few. Mike died August 5, 2000, from a massive heart attack doing what he
loved to do best, paddling on the water. He is remembered by family and friends
as a man who……was one with nature……could charm innocent
bystanders into a C2 with him……could cross a finish line not in
his boat……would race a boat half swamped (the boat that
is)…..didn't have to be right to join in a good argument……in
1998 finally found a wonderful woman, his special Roxie, with which to share
his life……was as fine as a frog's hair, and one cain't get much
finer than that……pulled all nighters driving to races in a four
state region……forgot that a growing boy needs more than potato
chips and pork 'n beans as race food……was more interested in competing
than winning……wouldn't let no silly truck accident or cracked head
keep him down……would not let driving rain or starting 10 minutes
late stop him from racing……wasn't real fancy, but had his heart
in the right place……took special, and perhaps perverse joy, in
the Le Mans start at his Round Barn Race……only joined the Moose
Lodge, so he could hold his race there……had strong, well-formed,
non-traditional ideas about technique and training……had a pet
raccoon……had a personal and loyal code of honor……borrowed
boats and returned them in need of repair……called paddlers
family……loved whitewater and wilderness trips……used his
mother as his personal answering service……was able to achieve his
life-long dream of a month long wilderness paddling trip in
Alaska……was going to pull his 2000 nationals C2 partner down the
course……left us quite suddenly and
unexpectedly…………………………..
He gave to the Indiana paddling community his heart, spirit and boyish
exuberance. Mike will be missed. Thank you, Michael Alan Grube, for sharing
a part of your life with us and for challenging us all to be better than
we ever thought we could be.
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