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Life story

" Robert Wayne "Bobby" Grove, son of Walter Grove and the late Elva Grove, passed away on November 18, 2025.  Bobby was born on April 25, 1957. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, before attending The Pennsylvania State University.
Bobby left graduate school in 1981 to take a job as a fieldman for the Livestock Breeder Journal magazine. Through the 1980’s, select registered cattle were slowly added to the herd, and the transition of White Ridge Farm to a registered Angus herd began. Bobby returned to the farm full time in 1988.
Bobby spent his entire life learning and thinking about cattle.  It was his passion and his calling. He was always looking to improve, and he relentlessly sought out cattle that fit his model: fertile, low input, problem free, maternally oriented Angus cattle with added muscle and fleshing ability. He offered his opinion freely and was quick to point out something in the Angus industry that he didn’t believe was advancing the breed.
Bobby proudly worked many cattle sales as a ringman for over four decades — he took great satisfaction in serving fellow producers.  Bobby also sat on the Virginia Angus Association Board of Directors from 2002 to 2005 and was elected President in 2004; served on the Northern Virginia Angus Associations Board of Directors from 2006-2009; co-managed the Fauquier County 4-H Livestock Show and Sale from 1994-2002 when his nieces showed cattle and hogs; and won the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association Seedstock Producer of the Year in 2014.
For the last 6 years, Bobby fought a courageous yet unrelenting battle with cancer. In 2022, he was diagnosed with an inoperable, aggressive, stage 4 oral/sinus cancer.  What followed were years of treatments (both traditional and non), a lengthy list of complications and setbacks, surgeries, and more medical appointments than Bobby could stand. While the physical scars remained and his medical condition was still complex and challenging, Bobby refused to let the cancer win. Just before the accident that ultimately claimed his life, Bobby had received a clean scan – no cancer. There were many people who helped him on his medical journey, but he also never relinquished responsibility for his own well-being — tenaciously researching treatments, alternative approaches, and reminding others how important it is to be your own advocate.
Bobby leaves behind a family that is grateful for the time they spent with him: sister Donna R. Grove, brother Thomas Grove, niece Caitlin (Earl) Menefee, niece Jennifer Porter, great-niece Ella Menefee, and great-nephews Alex and Jake Porter -- all of Somerville, Virginia.
There will be a Celebration of Bobby's Life on December 6, 2025 at noon on the family farm (12450 Blackwells Mill Rd, Midland, VA 22728).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:
Independent Medical Alliance, 2001 L St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036 or to
Goldvein Volunteer Fire Department, 14276 Goldvein Rd, Goldvein, VA 22720. "