Richard John Grilz

Richard "Dick" Grilz was born on April 16, 1934, in St. Paul, Minnesota to Matt and Mary Grilz. He was one of eleven children. He became our angel on August 20, 2024, in Ogden, Utah surrounded by his loved ones. Dad worked hard and played harder. At a young age, he began working in the family foundry making anchor molds alongside his father and brothers. He married Patricia Moeller, and together they had seven children-they later divorced. In 1961, Dad moved his family to Las Vegas where his career in pool maintenance flourished; here, he established the largest pool cleaning service in Clark County, NV, Personalized Pools. His entrepreneurship was exemplified by his strong work ethic and daily grit.

Dad lived a life of unconditional service. Both personally and professionally, he always made an effort to seek out and champion the underdog, leaving things, and people, better than he found them. Dad served as a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason with the Nellis Lodge and was later initiated as a Shriner, where he served as the Director of Clown Clubs in Las Vegas. As part of this organization, he would dress up as a clown and visit sick children in Shriner's Hospitals and burn centers. His sparkling blue eyes and jovial personality made him a popular visitor. Dad collaborated with one of his Shriner friends to convert abandoned World War II buildings in Lorenzi Park into centers where children affected by exposure to Thalidomide could learn and practice daily life skills. He was also a proud member of the Lions Club, where he was elected as the Lions District Governor of Nevada from 1987 to 1988. With the Lions Club, he helped organize and establish a mobile vision screening clinic, collecting and distributing thousands of pairs of eyeglasses to underserved populations throughout the world. Upon visiting Helen Keller's childhood home in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Dad recognized this historical site needed a repair and update. He dedicated several years of his life traveling the country to raise funds for this project and headed the restoration process in the name of the Lions' Knights of the Blind project.

In his spare time, Dad enjoyed fishing and exploring Lake Mead on his boat, the Dickiebird. He appreciated the finer things in life: a good game of golf, a juicy steak, a platter of oysters, and a CC7 or blackberry brandy. Dad took pride in being our biggest cheerleader, rarely missing the many sporting events of his children and grandchildren. In his retirement, Dad uprooted, bought a motor home, and listed his address as "8 Wheels on the Road, Somewhere, USA". During these adventures, he met his special companion, miss Billie Lee. Throughout his life, he traveled to all 50 states and often stated that Michigan in the fall was the most beautiful.

Richard is survived by his seven children; Richard (Becky), Tim (Alfia), Jeanne (Blake), Jeanette (Dave), Bill (Marla), James (Grace), and Tony (Stef); nineteen grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. We will miss his unconditional love and support, his quick wit, and his selfless attention to others. This world is a better place because of Dad. We love you a bushel and a peck!

We would like to extend gratitude to the staff and residents at Avamere at Mountain Ridge; Richard loved each and every one of you. A special thanks to Dad's hospice nurse, Denise, he adored you-thank you for being such a wonderful friend to him. Dad requested no formal services; the family will celebrate his life and legacy at Lake Mead this fall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lions Club International Foundation or Shriners Children's.