Michael Jonathan Grinfeld's Obituary
Michael Jonathan Grinfeld, age 70, was born in Munich, Germany, arriving at Ellis Island at 11 months old. His childhood was spent in Connecticut. He graduated from Boston University and earned his JD degree from New England School of Law.
He lived in Fullerton, California with his family for 27 years. During that time, he practiced law for 15 years, working in private practice and as Vice President of Claims Litigation and Senior Corporate Counsel for Farmer’s Group in Los Angeles. He then changed careers and became a journalist, writing for magazines and newspapers. The highlight of his career blended both his law and journalism experience as he became an Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Missouri School of Journalism - Columbia for the next 12 years until retirement.
Michael loved photography, reading books and newspapers, watching movies and cooking. He loved the adventure of travel, with memorable trips to the Amazon jungle, Singapore, Pakistan, South Africa, Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. He cherished a trip to Munich in 2017 to see his “starting point.”
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karen, and his daughters, Julie Post and Lisa (Dave) Moses, grandchildren Claire Moses and William Moses, and three siblings. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, inquisitive nature, and deep concern for getting the story right.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to any social justice organization or those that feed the hungry.
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