Edwin Victor Grundstrom

EDWIN VICTOR GRUNDSTROM was a man who brings to mind thoughts of community, family, legal practice based in integrity, laughter, and of course… fishing.  On February 7, 2018, the North Bay communities of Marin and Sonoma lost a dear friend.  After ninety-one years, Ed, who lived robustly, was driven by passion and governed through justice and love, left us gracefully to fish with the angels and tend to the vineyards of heaven.

Born on November 29, 1926 in the city of Petaluma to Jennie and Edwin Grundstrom, Ed was educated in Petaluma public schools before taking flight into his adult life.  He grew up with his brother Floyd and sister Edie, raised in a simpler time, filled with afternoons in his parents’ music store, weekend fishing trips, and summers working the fields of Petaluma.  Life moved quickly for a small town boy who held big dreams in his heart.  Before long, Ed was a graduate of Santa Rosa Junior College, U.S.C., and finally Stanford Law in 1956.

Ed proudly served in the military from 1944-1953, tasked at one point with assisting the establishment of the Thule Air Force base in Greenland.  After being honorably discharged, finishing law school and being the proud husband and father of a budding family, it was time to dive into adulthood with both feet. Ed began his career in law in 1956 as a partner to Clark Palmer.  Soon they expanded to Palmer, Grundstrom, and Duckworth and ultimately, Ed went on his own as Edwin Grundstrom, Esq., practicing civil law in downtown Novato.

While Ed’s law career flourished, so did his private life.  He fathered three daughters with his wife Genevieve: Jan, Jill, and Deidre. All three girls grew up in Novato, attending the local schools before embarking out in the world to follow their own dreams.  Jan is the mother of four (Jessica, John, Joshua, and Cassie), Jill is the mother of two girls (Katie and Elsa) and Deidre is the mother of two girls (Rachel and Jennie).  The families thrive and their homes are filled with laughter and remnants of Ed’s presence.  As time passed and the winds changed, Ed found himself married to his second wife Renate and took on the role of stepfather to her daughters Ina (mother to Kyle) and Katerina.  At the end of the day, when Ed closed those sparkling eyes for the last time…  he was surrounded by the love of his wife, ex-wife, his sister, five daughters, nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and the sympathetic eyes of his hound Prince Valentine.

Throughout his lifetime, Edwin Grundstrom was not only a pillar for his community, but an innovator.  He received a state of California award for his work developing Pioneer Park in Novato, as well as founding and organizing the conversion project of Novato General hospital, creating the non-profit Novato Community hospital.  Ed was a founding member of the Novato Kiwanis club, along with being president.  A special pride for him was his involvement in the birthing of the American Indian Museum in Novato.  He not only was integral in the opening, but in maintaining the integrity of the museum by remaining on the board for many years.  Along with these community contributions, Ed actively participated in developing real estate in Novato.  He was a co-developer of Industrial Park in Ignacio with Soiland Company Inc., and also developed the Redwood Center (with Al Belucci and Carl Jacobsen), which now houses the Marin Community Clinics.

When he wasn’t developing, founding, practicing, raising children (or a glass of wine), laughing, arguing, or causing an amiable ruckus… there were moments you might find Ed quietly fishing, smiling up at the sun as his expertly tied fly bounced downstream.  I imagine that is where he is today, looking at a lifetime of well procured accomplishments with that sparkle in his eye and a hearty laugh of love.

Funeral to be held at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory in Petaluma on February 16, 2018 at 2 p.m. and a memorial will be held on March 24, 2018 (for details, please contact us at [email protected] )

Donations can be made to Hospice by the Bay or Stanford Law School.

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Cypress Hill Memorial Park