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David Warren Groff
December 08, 2022

Obituary

David Warren Groff, 84, of Lake Wisteria, Tifton, Georgia, passed away at home December 8, 2022.

He was a plant breeder for Asgrow Seed Company in Tifton, Georgia. Dr. Groff had been employed by Asgrow since 1966. As a research scientist, Dr. Groff introduced more than 70 hybrids of squash, cucumbers and spinach that have been sold commercially worldwide. Altogether, he developed 92 cucumber hybrids, 10 squash hybrids and 9 spinach hybrids.

More recently, Dr. Groff’s research has involved genetic engineering developing gourd hybrids. He bred gourds that grow on a bush rather than on a vine.

Dr. Groff was a 1960 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture. In 1962, he earned a Master of Science degree in plant breeding from Penn State.

He was awarded a doctorate in horticulture by the University of Arizona in 1966.

He was a member of the American Society of Horticulture Science, the USDA Cucurbit Advisory Committee and the American Brittany Club.

A former resident of Bridgeton, New Jersey, Dr. Groff was vice-president of the Hopewell Township School Board, a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Citizen’s Advisory Board, vice-president of the Bridgeton Investment Club and a president of the Ruritan Club.

Since moving to Tifton, he has been a member of Rotary, Kiwanis, the South Georgia Canoe Club, the ABAC Bridge Club, the Tifton Investment Club and the GA Museum of Agriculture, where he was a devoted volunteer.

He gave agricultural presentations at NESPAL and in the Tift County Schools.

Dr. Groff attended First Baptist Church in Tifton.

In his earlier years, he enjoyed playing tennis, bridge, basketball, softball and ice hockey. He bred and showed Brittany Spaniels. He worked tirelessly in his yard and in his garden.

David Warren Groff was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Warren C. and Eleanor Rapp Groff. On June 17, 1950, he married the former Susan Pierson of State College, PA, who survives in Tifton.

He is also survived by two daughters and their husbands, Donna and John Nasielski of San Diego, California and Denise and Ryan Gravitt of Tifton, Georgia. His son, Michael David Groff predeceased him on March 2, 2017.

His grandchildren are John, Peter (Jen Place) and Mark (Isabella Sanzi) Nasielski of California, London, England and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Christopher and Amanda Gravitt and Jessica Gravitt of Tifton, Georgia.

Dr. Groff’s great-grandchildren are Grant Barber and Tate Gravitt of Tifton.

He is also survived by his sister, Jeanette and her husband, John Steffick of Pittsburgh, PA and brothers and their wives, Edward and Peggy Groff of Troy, Michigan and Charles and Susan Groff of Tallahassee, Florida.

Other survivors are his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Pitney of Holmdel, New Jersey and brother-in-law, Peter Kimball Pierson and his wife, Joan of Sun City, Arizona and seven nephews and four nieces.

A celebration of the life of Dr. Groff will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

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BOWEN-DONALDSON HOME FOR FUNERALS
420 Love Avenue
Tifton, GA 31794
229-382-4255