Findlay, Ohio, April 8, 2002 — The University of Findlay will dedicate the newly remodeled John and Hester Powell Grimm Theatre in the Egner Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, April 12, at 7 p.m.
Members of the Grimm family will be in attendance, as the late John and Hester Grimm are remembered and honored for their commitment to The University of Findlay.
John Grimm, the child of John and Alice Grimm, was raised at 1014 N. Cory Street, where the Egner Center now stands. His father, a prosecuting attorney in Findlay, died when John was very young. His mother boarded college students for 15 years in order to help the family make ends meet.
Hester Powell Grimm was born 10 minutes after her twin, Helen, to Ellsworth and Era Powell on a farm west of Findlay. She attended school in a one-room schoolhouse until she went to Findlay High School, where she graduated in 1917.
John attended Findlay College Academy for four years, graduating in 1918. Hester earned her teaching certificate from Findlay College in 1919.
The couple met at a Findlay College mixer for incoming freshmen and were introduced by John’s sister, Flora, who taught at the college. They married in 1921 and moved into John’s childhood home on North Cory Street. John and Hester soon built a home on Baldwin Avenue in Findlay, where they lived together for 64 years.
In 1929, John opened Cooper Service Station, which was a part of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.
Meanwhile, Hester taught school at Schoolhouse #9 near the Findlay Airport. She went on to teach fourth and fifth grades at Rawson School for two years. Hester substituted at Liberty School and, in 1936, helped her twin sister teach private kindergarten in the basement of a church in Findlay.
In 1941, John entered the service, where he was a member of the quarter master corps and served as a battalion commander in Iran. After three years of service, John was promoted to full colonel and honorably discharged from the service.
Back in Findlay, John began a position as manager of the truck tire sales division for Cooper. He retired from Cooper in 1971 after 42 years of service.
In addition to his position at Cooper, John bought a couple trucking companies, helped start Wyandot Dolomite Co., in Carey and organized the Findlay Warehouse Corp., First Findlay Corp. and Hancock Leasing Corp.
In 1960, John helped Findlay College start “The Associates” program, which recognizes those who give to the University each year. He served as president of the organization for eight years and was himself honored as Distinguished Associate in 1975. John was a member of the Findlay College Alumni Board of Governors and was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1975.
The Grimms were active members of the First M.E. Church (now St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church) in Findlay for many years.
John passed away in 1985.
With John’s passing, Hester maintained her commitment to The University of Findlay. In 1992, she created the John and Hester Powell Grimm Education Scholarship to help education majors at UF. In 1993, she established the John W. and Hester Powell Grimm Business Scholarship to assist business administration majors at Findlay.
Hester died just a few weeks ago at the age of 103.
The theatre dedication is being held in conjunction with the world premiere revival of the Richard Rodgers’ musical REX.
The dedication ceremony is free and open to the public.
