Smith Haughey Mourns the Loss of Former CEO and Friend

Grand Rapids, Mich., June 2, 2008 -- The attorneys and staff at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge mourn the passing of our former colleague and friend, John M. Grostic, who passed away unexpectedly on May 31, 2008.

John joined Smith Haughey as an attorney in 1979 after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School. He was a respected litigator with the firm and also served as Chief Executive Office from 1989 to 1991. During this time, he was also the driving force behind the introduction of the Grand Rapids Bar Association's, Minority Clerkship Program.

While serving as CEO of Smith Haughey, John attended Western Theological Seminary. In 1991, John left Smith Haughey and his law career to complete his seminary studies and eventually became the pastor at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Muskegon. He currently was employed at Kandu Incorporated in Ottawa County, a nonprofit group that provides employment training for people with disabilities.

When John left the firm in 1991, attorney L. Roland "Bud" Roegge wrote a tribute article in the firm's newsletter about John's time and service at Smith Haughey. The words still ring true today.

"To be a good litigator or a good pastor, one must be a good listener and a good communicator. John has excelled in each of these areas. We also know how important these skills are for a CEO with approximately 150 employees and offices in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Traverse City. The demands of keeping everyone reasonably happy and satisfied are difficult, but John has given us an empathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on, as well as, when needed, a gentle but firm nudge in the right direction.

John's legacy at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge is certain to be that he facilitated the merging of three separate offices to work together as one. More importantly, he taught us to accept diversity with understanding and without bias; to take some risks; and to create a feeling of worth for both attorneys and staff. But most of all, he was our friend, and that is a legacy that will last a lifetime, and, as John would now say, even beyond that."

The attorneys and staff at Smith Haughey extend their sympathies to John's wife, Eileen, and his family for their loss.

Visitation for John will be held on Wednesday, June 4 from 7-9pm at Vanzantwick-Bartels Funeral Home (213 Savage St.) in Spring Lake. The funeral will follow on Thursday, June 5 at 11am at Christ Community Church also in Spring Lake