Grover Franklin Lindell Obituary

The Lindell family is heartbroken to announce the death of their beloved father and grandfather Grover "Red" Franklin Lindell. Red was born on June 17th, 1933, in Manchester, Connecticut, to Harold and Albina Lindell. Red was preceded in death by his wife of nearly fifty years, Helma B. Lindell. Red leaves behind a daughter Cindy L. Haven (Lindell), son Harry H. Lindell, son-in-law Ron Haven, and daughter-in-law Kris Lindell. Red also leaves behind his four treasured grandchildren Parker Haven, Garrett Haven, Kaitlyn Groh, and Chase Sicoli as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Red’s grit and determination showed themselves at an early age when he worked on the tobacco farms in Connecticut to help provide for his family. As a young man, Red asked for and received a waiver to enlist in the Army at the early age of 16, where he served bravely, honorably, and with great distinction. As an Army Airborne Infantryman, Red rose from Private to Staff Sergeant within a short, four-year span. While serving during the Korean War, Red fought the length and width of Korea twice, fighting in the 1st Cavalry Division, the 3rd Infantry Division, and earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and other awards and decorations. Red almost never spoke of the war or his many battles, particularly because in one instance, he was the sole survivor of his entire platoon.
After mustering out of the Army, Red moved out to California, where he met his wife and raised his family near the beach he loved so well. Brushing off the thought of traveling abroad, Red could frequently be heard proclaiming, "Pismo Beach is God's country!" Throughout their life together, Red and Helma enjoyed traveling, golfing, gambling, and bowling. Living in his beloved mobile home park for the last thirty-three years, Red cultivated many lifelong friendships, most notably his gambling partner Shirley Hickey. Rain or shine, Red could be found at the park clubhouse each morning, where he engaged in lengthy rounds of what he typically called, “BS.” Topping the rise coming in to Pismo Beach, Red frequently announced, "Good old home!"
Among his many professional accomplishments at Beckman Instruments, Red and his friend George Matsuyama designed and patented short-form electrochemical electrodes still in use today in hospitals around the world. As someone who possessed an uncanny ability to work with machines, Red spent countless hours restoring lanterns, as well as clocks of every size and shape. An avid fisherman, Red delighted in his many days on the water and on the Pismo Pier fishing with his family and friends, using the rods and reels he had patiently restored.
All who knew him were privileged to benefit from his warm, all encompassing heart, his cooking, his sense of humor, and his endless commentary on anything from politics to the size and quality of clams that should be used in clam chowder. A man of bottomless generosity, Red could always be counted on when a need arose. He volunteered each year to carve turkeys down at the Veteran’s Hall and was known as a Goodwill shopper extraordinaire, a flirt, a jokester, a surrogate father to many, and a giant among men.
Red’s generous spirit and zest for life had a profound effect on all who knew and loved him, and his passing leaves an enormous void in his family’s lives.