Roy William Groulx

Roy William Groulx was born in Bay City, Michigan on November 16, 1919, as the second of thirteen children. Roy was only able to finish the eighth grade before he had to help run his father's busy farms. Roy joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1940 at the age of 21. He excelled in his Army training and obtained the rank of Sergeant of Automotive Supply. When World War II began, Roy was sent to England to aid in preparation for the invasion of Normandy and D-Day. Roy was boarded on ship and landed on Utah Beach in Normandy. During the war, Roy acted as the Liaison Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of establishing and maintaining the supply system for motorcycle, automobile, and truck parts needed to support the Army Air Corps' mission. Roy's service during World War II was recognized with a personal meritorious service citation and a Bronze Star. After the war, Roy began a long career in engineering and education. Roy worked as an engineer for General Motors in Grand Rapids, Michigan before dedicating his career to education. He taught industrial arts at a high school and then worked as a professor at Western Michigan University ("WMU") in Kalamazoo, Michigan while he earned a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at Michigan State University. Roy worked as a professor of Industrial Engineering at WMU for 25 years and was instrumental in developing the Industrial Engineering department at the university, as well as heading its Master of Science in Manufacturing Administration program. Roy deeply valued his career as a professor, his relationship with his students, and his service to the Engineering department at WMU. Speaking of his career as a professor in 1982, Roy said, "you have to love what you are doing. It can't be for the money...the highlight of anyone's life is when you see that someone you've touched, even if only in a small way, is successful." Roy was not only a valued educator, however. His family and friends were the greatest source of his personal fulfillment and pride during his long life. Roy married Lucille (nee Carlson, d. October 2013) in August 1946 and they were parents to five daughters-Martha, Mary, Margret, Jan, and Rebecca; and one son, Benjamin. Roy is survived by his six children, several daughters and sons-in-law, ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews, one goddaughter, and sisters-in-law; as well as his sisters Grace, Julie Mae, and Julia. Roy was a devoted family man and friend to many, and had a gentle and kind spirit that was evident in all of his interactions. Yet Roy was not just gentle and kind - his humor and penchant for elaborate storytelling were legendary. One could often find Roy working on various projects in his garage or gardening, but he also loved to sit in his recliner and work on a crossword puzzle or watch a Detroit Tigers game. After Roy and Lucille's retirement in Kalamazoo, they spent summers in Baldwin, Michigan and winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Women in Engineering Proactive Network at www.wepan.org.