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Robert E. Grindstaff M.D., DABAM, 65, of Nashville, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Grindstaff was born on October 24, 1956 in Elizabethton, Tenn., to the late Reverend Robert Ray Grindstaff and Mamie (Slagle) Grindstaff.
Dr. Grindstaff was a 1974 graduate of Elizabethton High School where he played the tuba in the Betsy Band and where he received the honor of Boy Scouts of America God and Country in 1969 and Eagle Scout in 1970 along with being named Who’s Who Among American High School Students in both 1973 and 1974. He then attended East Tennessee State University for his undergraduate between the years of 1974-1978 where he graduated with a BS Magna Cum Laude with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry and was a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society from 1976-1978. He then attended the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences between the years of 1978-1983, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine and served as Vice President of Alpha Kappa Kappa Medical Fraternity between the years of 1981-1983. Dr. Grindstaff received several honors in his prestigious career such as Who’s Who for Professionals National Medical Edition, Consumer’s Research Council of America Guide to America’s Top Family Doctors from 2007-2015 and the Leading Physicians of the World, Top Family Medicine Physician and Addiction Medicine Specialist in 2016.
Dr. Grindstaff earned his board certification with the National Board of Medical Examiners in 1984, Diplomate American Board of Family Medicine in 1987 and Diplomate American Board of Addiction Medicine. In addition, he was credentialed in Diplomate American Academy of Pain Management in 2006 and Fellow American Academy of Pain Medicine.
Dr. Grindstaff did his internship at the Quillen College of Medicine in the Family Practice Department at Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center between the years of 1983-1984 and completed his residency at the same department between the years of 1984-1986. After his residency, Dr. Grindstaff went into practice, opening and operating Pinecrest Family Practice and Pain Management from 1986-2011. He served as Medical Director at Ivy Hall Nursing Home from 1990-2003, Carter County Sherriff’s Department’s Medical Director from 1990-2000 and Pathway Medical Group as an Addictionologist from 2012 to 2018. After a battle of receiving medical care in Nashville, Tenn., since July 2018, he was so proud to return to work as a medical director/Addictionologist for Crossroads Recovery in September 2021, a promise he kept to his patients. Dr. Grindstaff was honored to be a consultant on Vanderbilt’s HOPE Study and the HOPE/Stigma Study Research Projects.
Dr. Grindstaff was a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, American Academy of Family Practice, American Academy of Pain Management, American Academy of Pain Medicine and the World Institute of Pain. He also held many faculty positions, including at the Quillen College of Medicine, Clinical Instructor in the Department of OB/ GYN from 1986-1988, Clinical Instructor in the Department of Family Medicine from 1986-1990 and as a Preceptor for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year medical students from 1997-2011.
Dr. Grindstaff was a member of Milligan Free Will Baptist Church. He loved horses and one of his greatest joys was his World Champion Show Horses. He also enjoyed crocheting, cooking and all genres of music. He mostly enjoyed watching his grandchildren, participating in band, sports and other activities.
Those left to continue his prestigious legacy of love and care include his wife of 37 years, Beth Ann (Altizer) Grindstaff; his beloved daughters, Kelli (Landon) Humphreys of Elizabethton, Jordan Grindstaff of Bristol, Tenn., and his bonus daughter, Riley (Jason) Thompson, also of Elizabethton; five grandchildren, Jackson Humphreys, Hayden Humphreys, Grayson Humphreys, Colton Humphreys and McCoy Clayton; four bonus grandchildren, Ian Thompson, Griffin Thompson, Simon Thompson and Scarlett Thompson. Several cousins, nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Robert E. Grindstaff will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton with Rev. Mark Street officiating. Rev.Jackie Cole will provide a eulogy. Music will be under the direction of Ian and Jason Thompson. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service, or at the residence at any time. The committal and entombment will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 3, in the Mausoleum at Oak Hill Memorial Park (800 Truxton Drive, Kingsport, TN 37660). Active pallbearers will be Michael Altizer, Alan Altizer, Jack Altizer, Landon Humphreys, Jackson Humphreys, Hayden Humphreys, Jason Thompson, Ian Thompson and Griffin Thompson. Honorary pallbearers will be Noah Clayton and all the patients Dr. Grindstaff has loved and cared for through the years and Robert, James, Mary and Liz and the staff of Ambulanz Services and Metro One. Those wishing to attend the entombment service are asked to meet at Oak Hill Cemetery, Kingsport, at 10:15 a.m. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Dialysis and Dr. Golper for the loving and exceptional care given to Dr. Grindstaff during his illness. Also to Cheri Waters, the most loving and kind home health care provider. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Betsy Band Boosters, P.O. Box 2113, Elizabethton, TN 37644 in honor of Dr. Robert E. Grindstaff. Words of comfort can be sent to the family through our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home-Riverside Chapel, 211 North Riverside, Elizabethton, TN 37643 (423) 542-2232 is honored to serve the family of Robert E. Grindstaff M.D., DABAM.