In Memoriam

Oliver Wendell Holmes once wrote, “To reach the port of heaven we must sail, sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it-but we must sail, not drift or lie at anchor.”

Anyone who had the distinct pleasure of knowing Mrs. Ellen Grass knows she was always sailing and was never known to lie at anchor. She charted her course early, receiving numerous outstanding achievement and academic awards throughout her life. Her quest for knowledge brought her to Radcliffe College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degrees. A woman before her time, she would tell the story of wanting to attend classes at Harvard University. Her determination prevailed; however, the closest she could get was a chair in the doorway of a classroom. In 1970 Ellen was awarded a Doctor of Laws Degree (Honorary) from Regis College.

Ellen Grass was a familiar face at many of the ASET meetings. She spent time in the Grass Booth greeting technologists and physicians, engaging them in discussion about the latest research and technology. Her vast knowledge was shared through numerous papers presented at ASET Annual Meetings, as well as at many local and regional society meetings. We all continue to benefit from her countless published articles. For many years ABRET exams were facilitated by the generous provision of Grass EEG Instruments. In 1986, ASET bestowed the distinction of Honorary Member on Ellen, and retained her presence at the ASET Annual Scientific Session by establishing a special lectureship in her name.

In 1935, with Ellen assisting her husband Albert Grass, the first diagnostic EEG machine in the United States was manufactured in Quincy, Massachusetts. For years the Grass Instrument company remained the premier manufacturer of this new technology. The Grass Model I EEG Instrument laid the foundation for our profession. Mrs. Grass continued her work in science through research in the area of epilepsy and technology related to EEG. Her life away from work was very private and filled with spirituality, inspiring many. Much of her time was spent enjoying classical music and the arts.

I have had the honor and privilege of working for and with Mrs. Grass since 1977. Like many, I benefitted from her wonderful attention to detail and most organized manner. She served on the Advisory Committee of the Electroencephalographic Technology Program at Laboure College in Boston, Massachusetts and, not unlike many laboratories and schools, the college was the recipient of several instruments donated for student learning. Technologists everywhere continue to utilize the educational material made available through her efforts.

While she was uncompromising in her professional standards, she was a humble woman, known to many as “Robbie.” Few people are aware of her range of accomplishments. Without listing the numerous awards, it should be noted that her extraordinary work with epilepsy is known world wide. In 1998 she was named the recipient of the Epilepsy Foundation’s Distinguished Achievement A ward and honored at a black tie gala in Washington, DC.

Ellen R. Grass, you have always been sailing and as we say good-bye to you here on this horizon, I am confident you have reached the port of heaven. A scientist, leader, teacher, philanthropist, and friend, you have touched the lives of countless individuals and your presence will remain forever.

– Jean Wilkins Farley

Ellen Grass and Epilepsy Advocacy

A force in the field of epilepsy, Ellen R. Grass influenced the careers of many people. She was a pioneer in the development of the EEG as a tool for diagnosing and localizing seizures, promoting young investigators with exciting new ideas, while she focused on improving the lives of all people afflicted with epilepsy. Mrs. Ellen Grass stood out at just about every milestone in the progress of the epilepsy volunteer movement at home and overseas. Mrs. Grass’s involvement with epilepsy began through her personal contribution to the growth of Grass Instruments. Through grants and fellowships, the Grass Foundation encouraged for many years the spread of scientific knowledge concerning epilepsy. Through her thoughtful input, as well as her efforts through the Grass Foundation, many young investigators began their careers with her support. Mrs. Grass was also a tireless worker in her efforts to establish a strong voice for lay organizations here and abroad. The founder of the International Bureau for Epilepsy, Mrs. Grass was for many years the mainstay of the international voluntary movement. As an active volunteer and supporter of EFA’s predecessor organizations in Boston and New York, Mrs. Grass laid the foundation for the movement we have today. She served as a Vice President of the EFA and was a major financial contributor to its programs. Her own scientific training and lifelong interest in research made her a valued contributor to the work of the Research Grants Committee which reviews applications for Foundation support. She served on advisory councils to the National Institutes of Health and was Acting Chair of the Historic National Commission for the Control of Epilepsy and Its Consequences. In 2000, Mrs. Grass received the Extraordinary Contributor in the field of Epilepsy Award from the American Epilepsy Society. As businesswoman, volunteer, and philanthropist, Ellen Grass continued to influence the direction of the epilepsy movement to which she gave a lifetime of service. Ellen was a unique person working hard to improve the quality of life of all people with epilepsy. We are all grateful for knowing her and the legacy she leaves behind.

– Solomon L. Moshe, M.D.

Ellen Robinson Grass – A Personal View

It grieved me to learn that an old friend of ours, Mrs. Ellen Robinson Grass, died peacefully in her sleep at her home on June 14, 2001. “Robbie”, as I called her, was only one year senior to me and our friendship began during World War II. When I was ordered to serve at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Newport, RI, I was thrilled to discover a state-of-the-art Model II, SIX-channel Grass instrument! I promptly trained a pharmacist’s mate to record EEGs; however, the project required not only a personal visit from Albert Grass, but also some consultations in Quincy. When I first met Robbie, she was carefully wiring an amplifier for a Grass Model II instrument. She did so in the basement of their Quincy home. Model I and Model II instruments were hand-built-mostly by Robbie, with Albert doing the heavy work of stamping out the chassis and muscling the completed product up their cellar stairs to a waiting truck. Robbie really carried the business of GIC, from paperwork to wiring, while Albert was in the Navy at the Radiation Lab at M.I.T. She also occupied her time by writing the Instruction Manuals for the first three models. Many of her early customers not only ordered or picked up their instruments in her basement, they were often invited for supper and discovered her culinary talents. These were especially remarkable when it came to anything chocolate!

By the time the Model III came along, after the War, there were organized socities for EEG and Epilepsy and Robbie became known at the meetings of these and other medical associations. In the late 1950s she bravely conquered the South American market, riding in a DC-3 plane, along with crates of chickens and their owners. She had a pretty good command of Spanish to add to her knowledge of French by the time she returned. No neurologically-related society would think of having a meeting without including a Grass exhibit and often inviting Mrs. Grass to give a presentation as well. She prepared her lectures carefully, illustrated them with good slides and delivered them in her soft, clear voice. Service calls were often routed to Mrs. Grass in the early days and she was quite capable of dispensing the necessary information over the telephone and walking someone through a problem. Most readers will have received packets of useful materials at various gatherings. These ” goodie packets” were personally designed by Mrs. Grass. And did you know that the truly imaginative and helpful innovation of colored pushbuttons and electrode insulation was her idea? Then there was her special love-the annual Grass calendar. She spent many, many hours collating the written material and overseeing the illustrations of what is now a collector’s item.

My very special personal memory of the non-professional side of Robbie centered around the 1961 congresses of EEG and Neurology held in Marseilles and Rome, respectively. Five of us, plus a brand-new Model 6 made the leisurely drive down the Riviera in a VW microbus. Some readers may recognize the members of this crew. Robbie was hostess and treasurer; I was the designated driver; John Knott was, as usual, supervisor of all he surveyed; and Jerry Merlis of Baltimore was our M.D. New (to me) was Miss Margaret Hazel, technical writer, fluent in French and German and adequate in Italian. The social aspects of these meetings brough forth a different Robbie-an attractive, vivacious lady with a tremendous sense of humor. She gleefully abetted the romance that developed between “Miss Hazel” and me. I might have known that it was Robbie’s idea to have Peggy deliver a Model 6 to my Hartford lab shortly after we returned
home. The rest is history.

Others will tell you of her many academic, scientific and philanthropic contributions. I would like to leave you with the simple thoughts that: 1) she earned her way through life, 2) she gave generously to all good causes, and 3) most important of all, she was a fitting role model for all technologists.

 – Charles E. Henry, Ph.D.

Originally published in:

The Neurodiagnostic Journal, 41:3, 179-182, 2001
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1086508X.2001.11079345