Steven Morris "Morry" Grant

Steven Morris "Morry" Grant passed on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Evanston, Illinois. He was born in Chicago in 1925 to his parents Esther Greenberg (nee Shponka) and Nathan Greenberg and attended Von Steuben and Sullivan High schools.

After serving in the Merchant Marines as a radio operator during World War II, he graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in Mechanical Engineering. In 1957 he married the love of his life, Annalee, who he had known since childhood and subsequently shared a loving and joyful marriage for 65 years.

Morry was a prominent figure in modernizing, designing and shaping heating and air conditioning technology at many of downtown Chicago’s most important buildings as Partner of Heimann and Grant Inc, Consulting Engineers. He was considered an expert in humidity and consulted on special projects for the Field Museum of Natural History and Wrigley Field and made substantial HVAC design contributions to The Prudential Building, the Bernard Horwich Community Center, the Union League Club of Chicago, and the many Crate and Barrel satellite stores, including the former flagship location on North Michigan Avenue.

Morry was a lifelong learner, a voracious reader, student and teacher, participating as a coordinator for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Northwestern. In his final months, although restricted physically, his mind remained sharp and he enjoyed reading books from the Skokie Public Library on many topics including: outer space, British spies, Einstein, the theory of relativity, and Dickens novels. He was an avid student of history, particularly, the French Revolution, and was a member of the Napoleonic Historical Society.

Throughout his 60’s and 70’s, he and his wife Annalee sought out unique travel experiences, including biking in France, a barge trip through canals in England and multiple “Elderhostel” and educational trips abroad. In his 80’s and 90’s, he spent many happy winters in Laguna Woods, California.

In his spare time he enjoyed time in nature, sailing small boats, kayaking, swimming, biking on lake shore trails and walking through The Botanic Garden. He rode his bicycle regularly in the Apple Cider Century in SW Michigan, and at age 85, he rode his recumbent bike to the finish line as the oldest entrant in the event’s history. He took great joy in the time spent over the decades with his family and friends, particularly his six grandchildren in Union Pier, Michigan.

Morry, although soft spoken, left a big footprint. He had a keen interest in conversing on current events, history, science, culture and ideas as well as delivering truly funny jokes and commentary.

Mr. Grant was preceded in death by his sister, Rhoda Lily Rosen. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Annalee (Ann), his children, Evalyn Grant, MD (Clifford Kavinsky, MD), Nina Grant (Glenn Kroe), Daniel Grant (Debbie Grant), and proudly, six grandchildren: Gabriel and Elana Wolpa, Lincoln and Grace Kavinsky and Jonah and Olivia Grant.

Contributions in his memory to the Anti-Defamation League or the American Civil Liberties Union would be appreciated.

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