Alan K. Grindberg, 77, of Bismarck, ND, formerly of Goodrich, ND, died January 11, 2010, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 16th at 1:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Home, Bismarck, followed by a gathering at the Doublewood Inn from 2 to 5 PM.
Alan was born May 6, 1932 in rural Granville, ND to Conrad and Inez (Loftesnes) Grindberg. He graduated from Velva High School in 1950 and attended Concordia College, in Moorhead, MN, before serving in the U.S. Army in Korea. He continued his education at the University of North Dakota, earning his B.S. in Civil Engineering, in 1958. He was then employed by the North Dakota State Water Commission.
He married Jean McGillivray June 4, 1961, in Powers Lake, ND. Following their marriage they lived in Bismarck until they returned to the University of North Dakota where Alan pursued his Juris Doctorate which he received in 1966. He received many scholarships and accolades for his academic achievement, and in his senior year he had the honor of being chosen as the editor-in-chief of the North Dakota Law Review. Alan returned to the North Dakota State Water Commission where he served as Assistant State Engineer. Upon leaving the State Water Commission he practiced law in Bismarck, Minot and Steele, ND, including a two-year term as law clerk for U.S. Federal District Judge Bruce Van Sickle, a position to which he returned later in life.
After retirement he remained active, volunteering with the ACLU and serving as clerk for the Judicial Committee of the North Dakota State Legislature. Alan was very active in whichever community he lived. He served on community and church boards and belonged to various professional and fraternal organizations.
Alan is survived by his son, Hugh, Grand Forks; daughter, Kathryn “Katy”, Fair Oaks, CA; sisters, Thelma (Richard) Lysne, Velva, and Muriel (Jerry) Mahoney, Bismarck; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his sister, Greta and her husband, Ernie Knutson; and several nieces and nephews.
Per Alan’s wishes, his body has been donated to the UND School of Medicine Deeded Body Program.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to a library or organization of your choice.
