Nicholas Grasman ’01
After a two-year battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer, Nicholas Scott Grasman, 44, of Midland, MI died on October 27, 2023 in his home. His witty comments and charming smile are greatly missed.
Nick grew up on a celery farm in Byron Center, Michigan. He was born on March 26, 1979 to Chuck and Darlene (Root) Grasman. He was the oldest sibling to Mike and Jen Grasman. He graduated in the Class of 1997 from South Christian High School where he participated in dramas, debate club, and Young Life. He achieved his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Hope College, Holland, Michigan in 2001. Nick worked as an analytical chemist with Dow Chemical Research and Development. Over his twenty-two year career, Nick transitioned from analytical chemist into marketing with International Flavors and Fragrances.
At Hope College, he met his future bride, Cherie Aileen Allers. They were married on February 2, 2002, in Byron Center. They lived in Midland, MI and raised two beautiful children, Maribel Dawn and Aaron Michael. Nick was a supportive and encouraging dad cheering his children on from dance recitals, band and orchestra concerts, soccer games, to robotics competitions. The family enjoyed being together-playing board games, camping, hiking, and touring the National Parks. The family attended the Midland Free Methodist Church.
Nick was a loyal husband, supportive father, and a trustworthy friend. He was a gifted communicator. He always had the right thing to say for the situation. His sarcasm and witty comments could diffuse intense situations and endear others to him. He discovered a passion for golf and would coordinate yearly guys’ golf weekends to cram in as much golf as humanly possible. He enjoyed a good round of golf, a cup of good black coffee, pie, Hudsonville ice cream, comedy shows and a good one-liner.
He is survived by his wife, Cherie ’01; his children, Maribel and Aaron; his father and mother Chuck and Darlene (Root) Grasman; his brother, Mike ’04 (Sarah) Grasman; his sister, Jen Grasman ’09; his mother-in-law Alice Allers; sister-in-law Dawn ’02 (Andy) Schutt as well as many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.