Lee Groban Obituary

Lee was a good friend to me, and to Frank Garvey with whom he had a life long collaboration. WE are now less one fine poet.

I met Lee shortly after moving to Chicago. He was semi-secretly drawing me on a roll of toilet paper on the southbound Red line. When I got up to leave, he ripped off the work and gave it to me. It remains on my fridge to this day. I saw him about a year after that at Mai Fest, and he remembered drawing me on the el. In summers, turns out I could expect to run into him at many events. I am so sad and disappointed that no one can expect to be surprised by him again. He is unforgettable. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He has enriched so many lives and will really be missed!

I had known Lee since autumn of 1971, when he was attending N.I.U. and we were both living in DeKalb (Illinois). I last saw him very recently, on November 27th. Lee was always generous and giving, sharing anything he had with others. I don't believe he ever harbored ill will or hatred for another human being, so far as I could see, and that is a rare quality indeed. He was always there for me when I was down and out.
For those who are not aware of it, the Cure for Insomnia, as well as his other works, was written in impeccable, gorgeous, single spaced handwriting on unlined paper. I would look at these pages with my mouth agape: page after page without a single cross-out, or a single poorly formed letter. His handwriting itself was pure art, absolutely beautiful. His visual art was also unique and incapable of being imitated. Lee copied absolutely no one. He was a category unto himself.
I would like to give a special call out to Lee's sister Debbie, about whom he told me many times, and whom I never had the privilege to meet. She did all that she could to help him through life, even when he didn't necessarily act in his own best interests. Take comfort in the smiles that Lee brought to so many lives.
I would like to share memories, and perhaps even a cup or a glass, with some of his friends. I can be reached at [email protected].
Lee, you wonderful guy, thank you for everything. You will be so deeply missed.
Jeff Granger, Rogers Park, Chicago

So sad to hear about Lee
He was a wonderful site to see at an art opening and most could not wait to hear what the latest thing was that he was working on . . . .
Real loss to the art community

I first met Lee at the Custard Street Fair in Evanston passing out some sort of flyer back in 1976. We talked a bit. I was a teen and I thought this was one wild crazy hippie dude! Then, I saw the band he was affiliated with, Sundog Summit and all the album covers he made for them. I was just amazed and inspired. Through out the years I would bump into him. He was always good spirited, ez to talk to. He was very smart, very kind and gentle. Wouldn't hurt a flea. It took a while for his death to sink in. Now i feel a sense of loss. Rest in Peace Lee

I met Lee in 1987 at the Dunkin Donuts on Clark & Belmont. Lee was an inspiration. Jimmy Valentine

Hello to Lee and his family,
Lee and I knew each other "back in the time." I lived at 9661 Merrion. We used to meet at night under the tree at my house and talk-Amazing what he taught and informed me about-- things that were totally out of my realm!
I always admired him. He was so different-many people did not understand "what was going on " with him at that stage in our life. I did. My parents told me that I was lucky to meet a man(boy at the time) like him and that I could learn a lot! Have to admit-they were right!
I remember asking him how he felt to be so tall(I was 5'2), he said, "let me show you." He lifted me up and we walked up and down the block-an experience that I have never forgotten.


I was sorry to hear about his death-however, since I read the obit., that another (Janet Cremin)neighbor sent me, it brought back memories of a neighbor that I admired and never quite understood until his de
ath.
Thanks Lee for the ride of my life- I still remember "reaching great heights" and your help!
I'm glad you left me with a memory-amazing-I usually don't remember too much!
Thanks for making an indention in my brain! I am grateful I knew you in our childhood!
Thanks for the memories and sharing a part of your life with me!
Patsy Berkovsky

I am very saddened at hearing the news of Lee Groban's death. For two years orso in De Kalb in the 1970's I lived in the same house with Lee. I today have wonderful memories of him drawing, of his interest in music, especially Frank Zappa inspired bands, and of his stories about visiting the soviet union. Most of all I will miss Lee's humanity and his conversations....Fred Case, Chicago

I've known Lee for a good 30 years. Lee was a wonderful artist, though mostly as unappreciated a visionary artist as Van Gogh was a century earlier. In the early days of the internet (maybe 1997) I worked with him to scan and email some of his art to some European art galleries to see if they might be interested in his work. No dice. His poems could go on and on like "A Cure for Insomnia" but had a rhythm and power despite that.

I was the editor of Nit & Wit Literary Arts Magazine in the late 70's and early 80's. Lee would often come to our monthly open mikes and regale us with his "By the beard of....." and proceed with a long list of ancient kings and potentates. It is a profound "drag", indeed to hear of his passing. His memory will live on.

I have known the Groban family for many years and enjoyed many festive holidays with my family and Lee and his family, most notably many years of unique Thanksgiving celebrations and menus. At these holidays I had the privilege of enjoying Lee's written word and creative artistry. Susan and I express our condolences to Debbie and her family for their loss. We're sorry we couldn't make the memorial in celebration of Lee's life today. Lee made a unique contribution to the world.

Sorry and sad to discover my friend Lee has...moved on to another festival, another party, another art opening. I last saw Lee Groban at Chicago's Chinatown Summer St. festival. I gave him an egg roll and fried rice, and showed him around. We talked about the history of our ancestors, as we watched young celebrations while enjoying some good smoke. Lee was always generous, funny, and surprising. Thanks for sharing your spirit and visions...Rest.In.Peace.

Memories of Lee reading poetry in the back of a 1963 Chevy Pick-up for the crowd at Gallery 1633 on Damen
Quite a person, I feel so fortunate I had the opportunity to experience his personality and his poetry!

Last time I saw Lee was at my birthday performance. He was always a great treat to be around and 'by the beard of Abraham Lincoln (or Lee Groban himself)
its a drag

I met Lee my first summer at Circle Pines when I was sixteen. I was amazed by his intricate drawings and impressed that he called himself "Eel," which as he explained to me, was backwards for Lee! I saw him a few times around Evanston and Roger's Park in the past few years. Deborah Hirshfield

It is with the greatest sorrow that I learned of Lee's recent death. He will be missed.

I have known Lee since elementary school. But I also had the privilege to have known him as an adult (although I am very sure that Lee never grew up). One of my treasured possessions is a framed drawing done by Lee.

We should not forget that Lee was an accomplished scholar. He has a Master's degree in Library Science. As a traveler he visited Russia and spoke a smattering of the language.

One time when I was going to Circle campus, Lee came over to the apartment where I lived with my folks. We thought we would have the place to ourselves, but then my Mom shows up. Lee was sitting on a chair in the living room with his shoes on his head. I thought she would plotz.

I'm a Chemical Engineer and in the course of a project I had a need of some process equipment.
I am talking to someone who sells used equipment. His name was Mr. Groban. During the conversation I realized I was talking to Lee's dad. I am thinking I better not ask how Lee is doing because it may jinx the deal.

On visits I would ask Max or Joe about his whereabouts. Sometimes that was unnecessary. Lee had an uncanny skill of tracking me down on visits. When we get together, I would ask him about his “obscurities” and then be entertained by a recounting of his latest research at the University of Chicago or some other library.

Lee always new where the parties were. Of course they were no doubt filled by a cast of interesting characters. Lee's appearances at my New Year's eve parties always contributed to the festive flair.

One of his greatest accomplishments put Lee in the Guinness Book of Records. I speak of course of his unique “Cure for Insomnia.”

I would say without hesitation that Lee was indeed a fixture of Chicago as much the lake front, museums or skyscrapers.

I can only end my tribute to Lee with a brief phrase: “Yit's a drag.”

Bernie “Burnout” Yudow

DEAR FREINDS OF LEE, I KNEW HIM WELL TO AND COULD NOT PUT THE WORDS ANY BETTER THAN YOU HAVE ALL DONE TO HONOR THIS UNIQUE AND VERY INTERESTING PERSON WHO WILL BE MISSED BY ALL,MAY HIS MANY TALANTS LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS.

I was a neighbor of the Groban family in the manor on Merion. Lee was very artistic, had rare exotic pets, and was really into Mad magazine. He was incredibly bright, and nice. We all went to Luella and Bowen and we recently saw him at a manor reunion. He was a good person. Our deepest condolences. Diane and Michael Winicour, nee Neuhauser

What always struck me about Lee was that he was such an incredibly kind soul. It was an honor to have known him.

Lee and I often walked to Luella School together. To say that Lee was interesting is like saying that Romeo and Juliet was a simple love story. In grade school he delighted us with his cartoonish artwork and his uncanny knowledge of world capitals. In high school his creative musings captivated small groups of eager listeners. In college, a simple encounter on the quad turned into hours of—what?—tales of his artistic and academic exploits, solutions to the ills of the world, books and articles and poets and musicians and languages and, hey Lee, would you look at the time? These encounters continued on the sidewalks of Rogers Park and Evanston. Lee was a part of my life and I could only hope to be a footnote in history's telling of his.

Lee was my oldest friend who I first met in Luella grammar school. I have been friends with him ever since (1950's until now), even though I have lived in California since 1977, I never missed a year of visiting with him when I returned to Chicago. We were very close friends growing up throughout grammar school and Bowen High School and would remain close friends thereafter. Lee was extremely talented and eccentric. As an artist and poet, no one was better than him. Because of his unique personality, he was not able to find a regular job in the "real" world, but his talents were recognized by many friends and acquaintances all over the world. It seemed that every time I was out in public with him, someone would come up to him and very excitedly respond that they knew him from an artistic gathering and marveling at how talented he was and how they enjoyed his live performance. He had a impish quality about him and dressed primarily in African style. His attitude was always positive. He loved life, and being amongst the public and performing. He was one of a kind. Nobody will ever be like him. And I hope that his record for the longest movie will forever exist. I will miss you greatly, Lee. You were a true friend.

First I want to give my condolences to Lee's family, and to anybody whom had the opportunity to enjoy and understand what his writing brought to this world. I am deeply saddened by his passing. I first met Lee when I came to Evanston in 1971, I was nine years old, and did he make an impression on me. It was at the Armadillo Day celebration at N.U. and he'd be at all the Festivals every year, Chicago, Evanston, suburbs, he was there. He always comforted me with his presence We had shared so many times together. We were at the occupy Evanston recently, and I just had to get one more copy of Cure for Insomnia from him. I shall treasure it for the rest of my life, as I will treasure his uniqueness of person hood, always. To quote" By the beard of the lord of Burger King, It's a Drag." You might be physically missed,but your energy shall remain. Thank You for caring so much. Bart Bukwa (Evanston, IL.)

I am so sorry to hear of Lee's passing. I can remember him reading poetry in between our sets( the band bohemia) back in the early 80's at many different Chicago venues. He was a unique and rare person, one that will be sorely missed.