Compatriot Grier R. Ingebretsen 1942-2017

 

Cancer has taken our Compatriot Grier R. Ingebretsen on December 25, 2017.

Grier was very involved, active and committed to the Sons of the American Revolution holding offices and leadership positions in our own Lewis & Clark Chapter as well as in the Oregon State Society.  He loved to be part of a Revolutionary War Era Color Guard proudly marching in parades and local events.  Grier was proud of his heritage, patriotic and a real history buff, devouring history books. Black Powder shooting was his latest interest, adding some fine-looking trapper attire for good measure.

Grier’s passion and all-consuming dream was the Oregon Revolutionary War Memorial to be placed in Beaverton’s Veteran’s Memorial Park.  He had the vision, spearheaded and championed the project but has failed to see it to completion, leaving the final work to those he left behind.  We must not let him down.

The Lewis & Clark Continental Color Guard sent him off to his final destination with a musket volley. Even the pouring rain and wind could not stop us from giving our friend and compatriot a final salute.

Thank you, Grier, for all you have done and your friendship and passion for the SAR. You will be missed our friend. We have the watch. 

Grier was born in Seattle, Washington 27 Nov 1942 to Evelyn Bell Taylor and Shirley Buehl Ingebretsen.  Shirley worked for Boeing Aircraft as an inspector and was also a barber.  Grier passed away December 25, 2017

Grier was very proud of ancestors from the Grier side and of his strong Oregon pioneer heritage as well as that of proven Revolutionary War patriots who were present at Bunker Hill and wintered at Valley Forge.  His Ingebretsen side arrived from Norway in 1885.  
The family moved to Oregon City after WWII and Grier attended local schools, graduating from Oregon City High School in 1961.  The Ingebretsen’s were very active and dedicated to the Oregon City Christian Church and Grier was proud to have helped build several churches in that area.  After high school Grier joined the Navy and prepared to see the world.  Unfortunately, his father’s illness required him to return to assist the family and his Naval career was cut short.  He served as a Machinist Mate on the Richard S. Edwards, a Sherman Class Destroyer.

Grier held many jobs during his high school years and beyond and often pointed out buildings where he was once employed as a young man.  After time spent working in the Oregon City Mill, he apprenticed in floor covering industry.  Skills learned there included wall papering for large hotels, all kinds of flooring, tile and counter tops.  He went on to own his own carpet stores several times, was wholesale tile rep and carpet rep with experience in every facet of the industry.  Grier would often point out homes, buildings, schools, businesses remembering how his skills were used to beautify those facilities.
  
Grier identified a niche that was a need for installers to take on the smaller jobs and for the past 30 years maintained a steady business. He did not advertise, and word of mouth recommendations kept him very busy all those years.  Grier was working well into November 2017 and had jobs lined up into 2018.  He was busy and active.

Grier was a long time active member of Bergfreunde Ski club and has many friends and experiences from those amazing days on the mountains. 


Grier played the clarinet at Oregon City High School and advanced to be part of a Navy band with special privileges and fun weekend events.  The clarinet was pressed into use many years later as he joined Portland’s own One More Time Around Again Marching Band.  Other bands soon followed, and he was very committed and supportive of the Beat Goes on Marching Band.  When unable to continue marching and playing, Grier marketed the TBGO band 24/7 and excelled in fund raising with TBGO reaping those benefits. 

Grier is survived by his wife Patti, sister Carinda Ingebretsen, son Erik Ingebretsen, step sons Steve and Tim Waitman and 3 grandchildren, Caleb Ingebretsen, Amy and Megan Waitman.  He is also survived by 3 cousins Coleen Ivey, Paulette Ingebretsen and Nadean Newgard.