Richard Earl "Dick" Grubb, retired senior vice president and dean emeritus of the Penn State Commonwealth Educational System (CES) and former state Secretary of Agriculture, died Dec. 13. He was 70.

Grubb began his career at Penn State in 1961 as coordinator of continuing education conferences and served in numerous positions before being named senior vice president for administration in 1979. He served in that capacity until 1985, when he was named Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture by former Gov. Dick Thornburgh.

While serving as Secretary of Agriculture, Grubb was an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees, from 1985-1987.

He returned to Penn State as senior vice president for administration in 1987. In 1988, he was named acting vice president of Penn State's Commonwealth Educational System. In that capacity, and holding his other administrative responsibilities, Grubb conducted a thorough analysis of the Commonwealth Educational System's administrative structure, continuing education programs and structure, and fiscal operations. In July 1989, Grubb was named senior vice president and dean of the Commonwealth Educational System.

"Dick was a terrific administrator," said John J. Romano, vice president for Commonwealth campuses, who worked under Grubb's leadership with he served as the campus executive officer at Penn State York. "He hired good people and then allowed them to do their jobs. I was always impressed with his graciousness and ease, even when dealing with challenging conflicts. He served Penn State well for many, many years."

Grubb played a major role in establishing the Continuing Education (CE), now Outreach, arm of the University. "Back in the old days, CE and the CES were together as one entity," Romano said. "Dick planned and implemented the changes that established the CE unit as an independent administrative unit."

Grubb received his bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics and rural sociology from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences in 1958 and 1961, respectively, and his doctorate in higher education in 1971 from Penn State's College of Education.

He was born Dec. 18, 1936, in State College, a son of the late Homer A. and Mary Homan Grubb.  On July 11, 1959, he married Barbara Cain Grubb, who preceded him in death in 1997. On June 3, 2006, he married Ellen Walker Grubb, who survives at home.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Pine Hall Lutheran Church, 1760 W. College Ave., State College, with the Rev. Gregory P. Harbaugh officiating. Burial will be at Pine Hall Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to The Richard & Barbara Grubb Excellence Award in The College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, One Old Main, University Park, PA 16802, or to Pine Hall Lutheran Church, 1760 W. College Ave., State College, PA 16801.