Unbeknownst to his family, Maris Grobins hand-wrote his own obituary over a year before his diagnosis. It is transcribed below and updated to reflect the birth of two grandchildren. An image of the original obituary is included with this post.

"5-15-2025

Mr. Maris Grobins, born on January 10, 1942, in Latvia. He left Latvia with his family in 1945 and eventually he and his mother and brother (Juris) were located in D.P. Internment Camps, in U.S. occupied Germany. In 1950 Maris, his mother and brothers emigrated to Tacoma, Washington. Maris graduated from Stadium H.S. In 1961, and enrolled at WSU. He was drafted in the Army in 1964. Upon his return to WSU in 1966, he completed his degree in Architecture in 1970. While at WSU he married L. Jane Mottishaw. They begat two amazing children: Mara in 1978 and Nikolais in 1982. In 1994 Maris married Mary Alice Whelan and formed a blended family with Mary's children: David and Sarah. Maris is survived by his beautiful wife Mary Alice, his four children, his brother Andy, 5 grandchildren, three nephews, a niece, and their respective children."

Maris passed away from cancer on August 8, 2026, at the age of 84. It was true to form for Maris to write his own obituary. But we, his wife and four children, want to add a few things he left out.

Maris was a crackerjack public speaker and humorist, a handy guy who could wire a socket or build an awesome slingshot, a trombone player who could play a conch shell as a wind instrument, and a snappy dresser who looked fantastic in a hat. He was the guy who helped us replace neighbors' mailboxes that we hit while learning how to drive, and who made sure our wiper fluid and gas tanks were full. And he never stopped telling us he was proud of us.

We will miss his voice and the way he called HUH-LOW when one of us walked through the door; his dry humor and the twinkle in his eye when he was joking around (roughly 80% of his waking moments); his smile and his wacky facial expressions when he was being silly; his stories about his early life in post-war Germany and Browns Point, WA; his steady, reassuring presence; and all of the other little things that added up to one whole unique Maris. Most of all, we will miss simply having him here on earth with us.

We will feel his absence daily, and every time we come across a stray toothpick. He will remain a part of us, in our hearts and in our memories, for as long as we live, and he will be with us in spirit when we eat pizza at Dirty Dave's or play a round of golf. Rest easy, Mr. G.

For those who wish to make a memorial gift, donations may be made in Maris's name to Save the Children (savethechildren.org). The organization was founded to feed hungry children in post-war Germany, children like Maris, and today supports children in conflict zones around the world.

The family may hold a celebration of Maris's life at a later date.