Groth, Henry "The Big Herring" Age 77, passed away on August 31, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. Dad spent his childhood in Columbia Heights, "the Paris of Minnesota," and in 1959 graduated from Columbia Heights High School on his first try. He served in the Navy from 1961-1967, and attended Augsburg College, where he majored in Music Education. Like most people with Music Education degrees, he then went on to pursue a career in sales and marketing. In 1962, he married Shirley Ferguson and together they had three children: Kristine, Kari, and Andrew. The family moved to Mound, MN in the early seventies and Dad, looking around for something to do, joined the local church choir. It was at that time he discovered that he would rather sing than eat, though it was widely acknowledged that most people would rather have heard him eat. In his thirties, Dad developed a passion for Barbershop Quartet music, because somebody had to. He founded and sang baritone for the Bum Hummers, an unfortunately-named local quartet known for delighting their audiences and mortifying their children. In the 1980s, Henry served as the director of the Minnetonka Clippers Men's Barbershop Chorus, arranging many of their songs and writing their popular annual stage shows, which were performed at Orchestra Hall despite its strong objections. In retirement, he became an avid bird watcher, and could often be found crouching behind a bush observing their habits. This behavior earned him a reputation for tenacity among his fellow birders, as well as a restraining order from a particularly indignant thrush. Dad also dabbled in photography, and took many beautiful pictures during his travels to Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and Japan. He was especially fond of England, as he found that country to be particularly picturesque. He was, however, somewhat annoyed that so many of its castles had been built so near the airport. Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Myrtle, his sister Rosie, and his daughter Kari. He is survived by his loving (and extraordinarily patient) wife Shirley, his children Kristine (his favorite) and Andrew, and his beloved granddaughter Frankie. Dad was a funny guy; he loved to laugh and to make people laugh. He was a huge fan of Mel Brooks, the Carol Burnett Show, Monty Python, Laurel & Hardy, and the Marx Brothers. But like most right-thinking people, he didn't much care for Jerry Lewis. Dad was a truly thoughtful person who instilled in his children a dedication to social justice, an abhorrence of hypocrisy, and a questionable sense of propriety. He adored his family and his legacy will live on in those who knew and loved him. A memorial luncheon is being planned that will include many of Dad's favorite foods, including dry martinis, Braunschweiger, pickled herring, licorice sticks, coconut cake, cold hot dogs, and cream soda. Those invited may wish to grab a sandwich beforehand. Memorials can be directed to: Northern Voices Oral School, 1660 County B Rd. W., Roseville, MN 55113