John Grula, August 14, 1952 – April 3, 2020

Longtime Pasadena columnist, retired scientist and environmentalist John Grula died on April 3rd.

Grula, who wrote a column in the Pasadena Weekly, was found dead in his Pasadena home earlier this month.

According to a story in the PW, “Grula’s columns focused on the environment, global warming, nuclear proliferation, nuclear power, public utilities, fracking, politics, public policy and social justice, among other things. An avid birder and nature lover, Grula enjoyed music and appeared happiest when outdoors.”

The cause of death is currently unknown.

Grula, 67, was an active member of the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. He was predeceased by his parents, and is survived by three siblings, Marjori, Tom, and Lorraine, as well as three nieces, Ondrea Keith, Cara Grula and Courtney Grula.

According to his obituary, Grula was born on August 14, 1952 in West Lafayette, Indiana.  After graduating from Stillwater High school in Oklahoma in 1970, he attended Oklahoma State University where he Bachelor’s Degree in Science.

While at OSU, Grula was a member of the men’s swim team and the track team.

He received his PhD in Systematics and Ecology from the University of Kansas in 1978 and began his career as research scientist at Caltech.

Grula later joined Phytogen Corporation in Pasadena where he participated in researching photosynthesis. After leaving Phytogen he began working at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL ) in La Canada, where he remained until his retirement.

He held several US patents, and volunteered for many organizations, including the Audubon Society,  Big Brothers and Sisters, the Southern California Federation of Scientists, and the California Democratic Party in which he had been a candidate for the Democratic nomination to the US Congress in 1972.

Despite those amazing accomplishments, Grula was happiest when he was outdoors.