A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life for attorney Allan Grossman, City Attorney for Saline for 52 years and a Life member of the Washtenaw County Bar Association, will be held 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, at Wellers, 555 W. Michigan Ave., Saline.
Grossman, who died Aug. 15 at the age 86, was born in Detroit in 1929, and attended Cooley High School. At Central Michigan University, he majored in math, was an avid bridge and chess player, and formed singing ensembles.
He received his Korean War draft notice in January of 1951 and enlisted in the Army Security Agency after graduating with a B.A. degree and Secondary School Teaching Certificate. In preparation for overseas deployment, he studied Russian at the Army Language School at Presidio of Monterey, Calif., and Army Radio Intercept at Fort Devens, Mass. He was stationed on active duty in Germany from 1953-1954.
Upon returning to Michigan, he enrolled in the University of Michigan Law School, working summers at Ford Mercury Auto Plant while earning his law degree. He attained his Juris Doctor in 1957 then set up a private law practice in Saline in 1958.
In 1960 he was appointed City Attorney, and served in this role until his retirement in December 2012. During his 52 years as City Attorney, he served in many state and community organizations.
He was a founding member of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce and served as President 1959-1960. Among a group of community leaders he was influential in drawing the Ford Plant to Saline. He was an early member of the Saline Area Civics Association and a long time member of the Washtenaw County Library Board and Washtenaw County Red Cross Board of Directors (Chapter President 1973-1975), the Uptown Saline Association, American Legion, American Judicature Society, American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Washtenaw County Bar Association and Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys.
In 2000 Grossman was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award by the Saline Salutes organization. In the People to People Organization he served as an Ambassador to China and Russia. He was a member and instructor at the U-M sailing club since 1959.
Grossman and his family played an active role in Saline's sister city programs, including the Saline-Brecon Friendship Guild and Saline-Lindenberg Friendship Committee.
The family travelled on multiple occasions to both cities and opened their home to visitors from each; and also played host to foreign exchange students from a variety of countries.
Grossman is survived by his wife Natalie (Samylenko); children David, Lisa, Martha (Ike Furbush), Erik (Gretchen), and Matthew; stepson Damion (Lissa) Remsberg; grandchildren Kelsey, Ryan, Lauren and Erika Grossman, Kate Laramie, Laken and Xander Remsberg, Amber and Caitlin Furbush; and nieces Linda Fowler and Diane Elton. He was preceded in death by his parents Una and Samuel, sister Nancy Mitchell, son John, stepson Dmitri Remsberg and daughter-in-law Lynne Grossman.
“Allan was a tremendous public servant, and a very gifted and able municipal attorney,” said Saline Mayor Brian Marl. “Most importantly, he was a wonderful man — kind and intelligent, always committed to giving back to Saline. His wisdom will certainly be missed by me, and countless others.”
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