Dr. Gregory Lynn Trowbridge (a.k.a”Grumpy”), age 73, passed away on September 20, 2025. Greg is survived by his sons, David (Valerie) Trowbridge and Brian (Aria) Trowbridge; granddaughters, Sylvia (16), Veda (15), and Guinevere “Evvie” (13) Trowbridge; his grandson, D. Havelock Trowbridge (10); his brothers, James (Penny) Trowbridge and Ronald (Janet) Trowbridge; his sisters, Dianne Trowbridge-McCord and Susan (Siegfried) Trowbridge-Maerz; many nieces and nephews, extended family, and many wonderful friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia DeMeester-Trowbridge; daughter, Katherine Trowbridge; father, James Trowbridge; mother, Verneal Lamb-Trowbridge-Winnell; and brother, Benjamin Trowbridge.
Greg was born June 10th, 1952, the fourth of six children, and grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1970, and after attending community college, went to the University of Michigan where he received his nursing degree. He also got something far more valuable while he was there, his wife. She was a patient, and he was a smitten young nurse.
They were married in August of 1976 and enjoyed 43 years together before she passed away. Greg attended Michigan State University where he obtained his Doctor of Medicine in 1981 and completed his residency in Family Practice in 1984. Following the death of his beloved daughter, he completed his second residency in Pediatrics in 1991 and worked with Corewell Health (and its many previous iterations) since. He enjoyed years of laughter and camaraderie with his partners, thrived at helping new residents learn, and adored his patients.
While Greg and Pat lived in Saginaw, Michigan, they welcomed their first son, David, and their daughter, Kate. While finishing his second residency in Pediatrics in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the couple had their second son, Brian. He enjoyed watching his boys grow, but some would argue, he may have enjoyed watching his “grands” grow even more! He was thrilled with their varied interests (many of which aligned with his own) and bragged of them often.
Greg will be remembered for his love of learning, his many gadgets and radios, his sense of humor, his immense kindness, his love of Star Trek, and for being a wonderful husband, father, and “Grumpy,” but it was medicine that Greg remained the most passionate about until the very end.
Visitation with the family will be held from 2-5pm and 6-8pm on Friday, September 26, 2025, at O’Brien- Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546. A Memorial Service will take place next Spring at First Park Congregational Church in Grand Rapids. Date will be determined later.
31 Responses
I will cherish my time in residency learning from Dr. T. He was a phenomenal mentor, and an even better physician. This is a sad day for the pediatrics community in West Michigan.
We met Greg in 1976 when he married my beloved American sister Patricia. She has been in 1973 a foreign exchange student to our family in the Netherlands. Since that time we have been several times to the States. We had so many wonderful times with Pat and Greg and the whole family. Always funny and showing his love to us. Making firecrackers and taking special trips with Willem and Johan. Showing us the hospital where he was so proud of. Making always our last special breakfast before they would take us to the airport again.
Our last time was in the year before Patricia passed away. Greg was always such a good husband to Pat and they loved each other dearly. He really was a wonderful Dad and Grumpy.
It was a shock hearing he was so sick and about his passing away. Knowing he is with Pat and Katie now gives some comfort, but we will miss him so much.
Sending love and prayers.
It was always a pleasure to work with Greg, especially in peds a Blodgett. It is a great loss for all of us here, he will be missed. Many prayers for the family
I had the immense privilege to work with Greg in the early years of my nursing career in the general pediatric and pediatric intensive care units at Blodgett Hospital. He was an incredibly gifted physician, a wise mentor, a diligent advocate for patients and staff and one of the kindest and funniest people I have ever known. My deepest sympathies to Greg’s family, lifting prayers for your peace and comfort. 🙏🏻
Greg and I were residents at BW together. We practiced in separate departments. He was always collaborative, thoughtful, and put patient at the front and center. Great guy!!
I was 1 of the unit secretaries at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital. He was a great doctor to all the pediatric patients and their families. He will be missed by so many
Greg was more than just a neighbor to my mother—he was a true friend, a helping hand, and a gentle soul who brought joy to everyone around him. Whenever my children and I visited, Greg greeted us with warmth and kindness, always thinking of the kids and surprising them with thoughtful gifts. This past Easter, he went above and beyond, recording his voice as the Easter Bunny to create a magical experience they’ll never forget. That’s just who Greg was—generous, creative, and full of heart.
He and my mom shared a special bond built on trust, laughter, and mutual care. Whether it was watching her sweet dog Aston while she was away, picking up groceries, or simply enjoying a home-cooked meal together, their friendship was a beautiful example of neighborly love. I know my mother will deeply miss his presence, his companionship, and the comfort of knowing he was always nearby.
Greg’s kindness left a lasting impression on our family, and his memory will live on in the stories we share and the love he gave so freely. Rest in peace, Greg. You were truly one of a kind.⸻
I have only the fondest memories of Dr T from when I did Fellowship. He had the warmest presence and was such an amazing doctor. It was an honor to have learned from him and to have been able to call him a colleague.
Dr. Trowbridge was a phenomenal mentor and jack of all trades. I can recall several times in which he was the only one to get an IV on a sick little one. His care for his patients was second to none. He cared about every aspect of the patient. I still reference his fluids lecture as a nephrologist. I will miss him.
After learning about Dr. T’s passing I regaled my husband with memories of what he taught me as a resident at HDVCH! I will keep his memory alive and always in my heart. He cared so much for patients and teaching! He worked nights with us and made sure I knew my fluids! Thank you.
Dr. Trowbridge was one of a kind. Many years ago, I was scheduled to give a pediatric Grand Rounds but became quite ill the night before. I had to call in at the last minute to let everyone know that I was too sick to be there. I felt very guilty about letting everyone down, but when I returned to work a few days later, I found out that Greg was in the Grand Rounds auditorium when the cancellation was announced. He just happened to be carrying a lecture slide carousel (this was before PowerPoint kids) so he gave an impromptu Grand Rounds, probably about metabolic disease! What a hero! He will be missed by so many for his wisdom, kindness, unflappable calmness, and delightful sense of humor.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of Greg’s passing. I knew Greg from our old Blodgett days together on the Pediatric unit before we merged. He was such a wonderful physician! I always admired his nursing background & his gift of calm demeanor around patients & families. Truly a loss to our Pediatric community!
May his family be filled with peace during this difficult time, but also be filled with joy on this special man & his legacy.
Greg was one of the greatest man I’ve ever met. As I nurse, I worked beside him directly many times. He would often be our IV start go-to when veins were particularly hard to find. As a man in nursing, his impact on me cannot be overstated: he made me confident as a man in female-dominated field. I remember his calm during stressful situations. One particular code situation, our dear patient was crashing and he calmly stated “you have two minutes to get an IV before we put the IV site in her bone.” He was exceptionally competent, confident, and calm in crisis. He rarely got irritated, but, when he did, it was at policies that put protocol ahead of what’s best for the patient. He could NOT stand incompetence, especially when it was hierarchy/insurance/status quo going against what would actually help a patient.
He was endlessly, tirelessly teaching, encouraging, directing. It is impossible to imagine what healthcare in west Michigan would have looked like without his impact.
I know I, for one, am a better person for having known him.
A thoughtful teacher and mentor and a compassionate physician. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, mentees, and all of the patients who received care during his many years in practice.
I am so grateful to have been trained by Dr. Trowbridge throughout residency. He was an incredible teacher and patient advocate. I will never forget his sense of humor. He was never the loudest in the room, but we were all listening to every word he said. He has impacted so many here in West Michigan. What an amazing legacy he leaves.
Dr. Trowbridge, we recognize you and pay homage to your dedication to the profession of nursing and medicine. We extend our deepest sympathies to your family and friends.
Greg, thank you for 30 years of collaboration, amazing teaching and great fun. Not everyone knows about the times I was worried about how a resident was coping and asked you to pay some extra attention to them when you could. You were attentive without being overbearing, genuinely invested and used humor, passion and calm to be the presence they needed. Long live potato guns, Monkees fans, practical jokes, great accents, intern and fellow welcome parties with you and Pat, and describing virtually every child you ever saw as, “cute as a button”. What a legacy you leave, my friend.
Dr. Trowbridge was a wonderful teacher when I was in residency and also took excellent care of my daughter when she was admitted to the hospital this year. He will be greatly missed.
You were my first attending on July 1st 2009. I didn’t know then what I know now which is how lucky I was to start with. You kind and gentle spirit was just what a young hopeful pediatrician needed. Thank you for the wonderful example you left of how to be a great pediatrician.
If anyone were to ask you to describe what a good pediatrician is like, Greg would be the image I would conjure up. He was a superb resident and an even better attending. He impacted countless families in West Michigan.
I feel grateful for the numerous lessons I learned from Dr. Trowbridge. He was an incredible teacher and physician, leaving a profound legacy in those he cared for and mentored. I feel honored to have worked alongside him.
I feel honored to have been trained by Dr. Trowbridge during my time and HDVCH. Some of my fondest memories are working night shift with him with our inpatient teams – he made them fun and lighthearted & time would pass by fast. He was always scouting down in the ER to try to find out which patients needed admission, utilized his kindness, patience and compassion during parent’s and children’s most vulnerable moments to create calm during a storm, and we were always impressed that when no one could get the IV, we would “call Dr. T”. I learned so much from you and feel beyond grateful to have been trained under you. My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.
I am honored to have learned pediatrics and yes-reviewed metabolic cycles at all hours of night call, from Dr. T. Aside from his incredible teaching, he always struck me as unflappable no matter how chaotic the floor was and even now I aim for his level of calm and collectedness every day. His dedication, compassion, and commitment to patients, budding physicians, and colleagues will be greatly missed.
I had the honor of working with Greg when he was a medical student and when he was an attending physician at Blodgett and the Children’s Hospital. He was always kind hearted with a smile and a great sense of humor. It was fun to observe his progress from medical school to practice and his unwavering commitment to his patients and residency teaching. I will always be grateful to him for his willingness and involvement in physician recruitment at HDVCH. My sincere condolences to his family.
Dr. T was an amazing physician and even better person. He loved to teach and has impacted so many people. There are many healthy patients, grateful families, and better clinicians in the world because of him. I always admired his humility and enjoyed his sense of humor. Thank you to his family for sharing this one of a kind person with us. He was truly adored and respected by everyone. To his family, you will be in my prayers.
Thank you Dr. Trowbridge for your years of service and care for children. I am also beyond thankful for your years of support and teaching to residents. No matter how busy and in every part of your career, you truly prioritized our learning and I am very grateful for that. I am honored to have learned from you and worked alongside you. My sincere condolences to your family. You will always be part of the HDVCH community.
I had the privilege of having Dr. Trowbridge as my mentor during my residency at Helen DeVos Children’s hospital. I am so saddened by our collective loss. He shaped my career and ultimate calling in Pediatric Hospital Medicine. Dr. T and Pat took my husband and I under their wing during my residency. To this day, I hear his voice when I do make IV fluid calculations. He loved his patients, and he equally loved teaching his residents. We are all better pediatricians because of that. In celebration of Dr. T’s legacy, I hope someone in Grand Rapids has a Yesterdog for us, even better if they pay with dollar coins.
I am so sorry for your family (brothers and sisters loss) and Greg’s Families loss of husband and father and grandfather.
I did not come but should have. All the boys and Greg knew my dad in a different way than I and it would have been a pleasure to meet his children. In sympathy, Roger Stevens
Dr. Trowbridge was an excellent teacher, mentor, and provider. His clinical skills were admirable, and I learned a lot about bedside manor from him. My deepest sympathies to his family.
I’ve known doc since I started at Blodgett memorial Medical Center back in 1994. He was always kind, approachable and willing to teach. The few years that I worked in the Emergency Department, I was always relieved when he was on duty. I knew the children would receive top notch care with compassion. I was privileged to have met his wife; she was just as sweet and kind as Greg. Pat always had treats to pass out to staff members. He will surely be missed. I’m sorry that I was unable to attend his visitation. My deepest condolences to his family. “Well done good and faithful servant”
Our sincere condolences to David, Brian and your families.
We have such fond memories of your dad and mom. Greg introduced us to Monty Python’s Flying Circus, for which we are forever grateful.
I recall when Pat shared about meeting him during a hospital stay in Ann Arbor. God knew they would be a blessing to each other. He looked into her eyes and the rest was history.
We hope the memories you have of your parents bring you much joy. They were such wonderful people.