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Roland (Sam) Grotte was born in Northwood, North Dakota, on March 22,1933, to Leonard Grotte and Gyda Land Grotte. He passed away at home in White Salmon, Washington, on Sept. 15, 2024, at the age of 91. He was called Rolly by his three sisters, who preceded him in death. He grew up in Northwood and spent his teen years in Hamilton, Montana. During the summers in college, Sam worked building forest lookouts and was a smoke jumper. Sam graduated with a BS in music from the University of Montana. After graduation, he married Donnie Steves and entered the U.S. Air Force. Sam and Donnie had three children, Brandt, Brigette and Erik. Sam and Donnie later divorced.
Sam served in the Air Force for 20 years as a fighter pilot. He flew reconnaissance missions in Vietnam, looking for MIAs (missing in action). It was in the Air Force where he got the nick name of “Sam the Man.” He retired as a major and went to work for American Airlines as a pilot, where he worked for 25 years.
Sam bought his home on the bluff in White Salmon 1985. He married Diana Dieterich, and they have been together for 37 years. Sam started playing with the White Salmon Jazz Band and eventually became its director. He played with the Whiskey Flats Band, the Portland Metro Band, the Eastside Orchestra and the Gorge Sinfonietta. He also played in the pit for both The Dalles and Hood River, Oregon, high schools' plays. Sam was the director of the Gorge Winds Concert Band, and Gorge Jazz Band.
When he wasn’t flying or playing music, Sam loved the outdoors. He was an avid backpacker, hiker, hunter, angler, tennis player and skier. He loved to travel and had an extensive collection of books. Sam had two planes, a Stinson and a Piper Cub family cruiser float plane. Sam authored a book about his amazing life, "A Life," or as much of it as I can factually recall. In his book, he describes the 1964 Alaskan earthquake which he survived, as well as his experiences in the Air Force.
Sam is survived by his wife, Diana, and his children Brandt Grotte, Brigette Kite (Terry), and Erik Grotte (Mona), grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family has donated Sam’s remains to the Alzheimer's research program.
In lieu of flowers they suggest donations to The History Museum of Hood River County, Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association or Hospice of the Gorge. A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn in Hood River.
I’ll never forget the kindness and patience that Sam showed to me and my Dad as he showed us how to appreciate the outdoors in Alaska. Our families were very close and I remember Sam as the smiling guy next-door who would promise to make us elephant ear soup when we weren’t feeling well, and I was always there to lend a hand, the epitome of the great neighbor. He was a lifelong friend of my mom and dad and he will be missed by my whole family.
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I’ll never forget the kindness and patience that Sam showed to me and my Dad as he showed us how to appreciate the outdoors in Alaska. Our families were very close and I remember Sam as the smiling guy next-door who would promise to make us elephant ear soup when we weren’t feeling well, and I was always there to lend a hand, the epitome of the great neighbor. He was a lifelong friend of my mom and dad and he will be missed by my whole family.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.