Erik Nelson Groberg (1977 - 2026)
Obituary
Erik Nelson Groberg was born on May 1, 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Erik was the last of seven children born to Dee and Sharon Groberg.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Jared and Del, his father Dee, and his sister Kari Lynn. He is survived by his two children, Haylee (11) and Easton (14), and their mother Jodi. Erik is also survived by his mother Sharon, his brother Geoff, and his sisters Tanya and Angie.
At the age of 1, Erik and his family moved from Utah to Tokyo, Japan for three years. His toddler years were marked by mischief and joy with his older brother Jared. Together, along with his other siblings, they made sure there was a steady turnover of Japanese housemaids, most of which did not last longer than a few weeks.
After returning from Japan, Erik spent his childhood growing up in beautiful Sandy, Utah. He was ambitious and happy. He did well in school and enjoyed playing sports. He loved skiing and spending time with his many friends. He also liked playing with fire. On three separate occasions he accidentally set the neighboring vacant lot on fire requiring help from the fire department.
During grade school it was discovered that he had a serious problem with his hip. In the hopes of avoiding a major surgery he was confined to a bed for weeks with his legs attached to a weight and pulley system. He was also required to wear a cumbersome brace for months that held his legs and hip joint at an awkward angle. This made it difficult for him to enjoy the sports he loved but he pressed on.
Although he completed months of the difficult therapy it ultimately was not successful and major hip surgery was required. The surgery left him scarred and with lifelong hip pain. But Erik went on to pursue his love of athletics and physical fitness. In high school he lifted weights and became enamored with boxing. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He would continue to enjoy this throughout his life including going on chartered fishing trips to Alaska. He also enjoyed traveling and scuba diving with his father and family.
During Erik's teen years, his older brother Jared began to suffer with debilitating mental illness that ultimately led to a tragic death. Erik was 18 at the time and the experience left a deep emotional wound. His boxing became a way to let off steam.
At the age of 19 he served an honorable two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Little Rock, Arkansas and the surrounding area. He preached the gospel of peace, but at one point he also secretly entered a boxing tournament. (And he broke the other guy's nose!)
After returning home from his mission Erik pursued his education at the University of Utah earning a Master's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as a fitness trainer and then in medical sales for much of his career.
At the age of 22 he competed in the Utah Toughman Competition, a boxing tournament. The arena was packed with his cheering friends and the event was televised. His nickname was "Babyface Assassin." He was awarded a large trophy and went on to compete nationally, losing on a split decision. Relatives will remember with fondness the family reunion after his Toughman competition in which he staged a boxing match with his grandfather D.V. Groberg.
In 2010 Erik married Jodi Crayk and together they had 2 beautiful children, Easton and Haylee. Although the marriage ended in divorce, he loved his family. His children were undoubtedly his greatest treasures. He enjoyed spending time with them celebrating birthdays, fishing, attending events, and going on vacations. He often enlisted the help of Grandma Sharon and Aunt Angie. The Lagoon amusement park was a source of joy for the children and weariness for Grandma.
Although he eventually gave up boxing he continued to fight throughout his life. He battled the elements in his outdoor adventures. He worked hard to provide for his family. Mentally, he fought to be healthy and physical health was also not a given for him. He had to fight for it, often seeking help from doctors. Perhaps his most difficult fights were inward, a result of his emotional scars and experiences. He fought to be happy.
But he should be remembered as more than a fighter. Erik enjoyed his life despite the punches it threw. He travelled. He worked. He was a bit boisterous and unpredictable. He had a great sense of humor. And he was known for being able to talk for hours. Also, he bore a striking resemblance to the famous movie star, Russell Crowe, although Erik was stronger and more handsome and would have made a better gladiator.
Erik passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2026 at the age of 48. He had recently returned home from a trip to Lava Hot Springs with his two children and his fiancee, Carly. He had not been feeling well for a few days. Carly was with him and encouraged him to visit an urgent care unit. Unfortunately, as he was preparing to leave he suddenly lost consciousness and passed away.
We are saddened by the loss of Erik. But all of the fighting, all of the struggling, is now evaporated for him. Erik's fight is finished. And what we find in the quiet aftermath are memories that make us laugh and cry. We find an appreciation for his unique personality and a longing to see him again someday.
We would like to collect and share memories about Erik from his relatives and friends. If you would like to contribute please write something below. While we appreciate all condolences and kind thoughts, we ask that these stay focused on a specific memory about Erik. Please keep it short and respectful and we will append it to this obituary for all to read and enjoy.
Unrelated to Erik's passing, Sharon (Erik's mother) has not been in good health in recent weeks. She is more or less homebound. With this in mind we have decided to hold an openhouse at Sharon's home instead of a traditional funeral. We hope you will stop by to celebrate Erik's life. There will not be any scheduled events but rather an informal opportunity to come and go and visit with family and friends. The openhouse will be held on Monday, April 20, from 6-8pm at 949 Village Square Rd, Centerville, UT.
Share a memory about Erik
Memories of Erik
Erik is the only person I’ve ever buried a barbed treble hook all the way into without reaction—even after I gave a few firm yanks on my spinning rod, thinking I was snagged on a tree behind me. Eventually, I heard a calm voice from behind me say, “That’s my hand.”
Erik was a true fisherman and a true friend.
nate
Erik was one of a kind. I can't remember a person who intimidated me more when I met him. Only to find out over time he was a big softy. I have many a fond memory of GroboCop. However the one that sticks out the most was when he baptized me in the strawberry river. Erik, Shawn, Matt and I went camping late at night and had a ball. We woke up not feeling great and conversation led to me letting him know I'd never even been in an LDS church. (HE thought I went on a mission. Or at least he joked that he did🤣😂) Long story short, he convinced me the get baptized in the strawberry river by him. Among other camping adventures, it's one I'll always hold close to me to see that side of him.
He also taught me how important throwing elbows were in an altercation. One lessoned I have used a time or two.
Someone mentioned that Erik was a complicated genius. I don't look at him as complicated. I look at him as far more advanced than most of us could ever hope to be. Never around Erik did I feel that he wouldn't be helpful in almost any situation I could ever find myself in with him. While sometimes I did have to take him in small doses, I'll forever be grateful for the man I knew. I'll always consider him "the most interesting man in the world".
In later years it was good to get to be around him and his kids. A more devoted parent I'm not sure you couldn't find. He loved his kids and was a great father. I hope the kids know how many people are here for them should they ever need it.
I'll miss you Erik. I truly did gain more knowledge from you than most people that I've met in my lifetime. ♥️
Erik had just returned from his Little Rock Arkansas mission when we had a D.V. Groberg family reunion. Erik’s fame as tough guy boxing champ preceding him and the Iconic picture of him with Grandpa Groberg and boxing gloves was a high light.
I remember visiting with him about his mission. I asked him about the different areas he had served and his companions and people he had taught. I then asked about the tough guy fight while on his mission. I got a round by round description almost blow by blow. It was like I was there watching it happen. He was a master storyteller. I thought what a honor it was to be with such an interesting and charismatic nephew. I really loved him and was grateful for that experience.
I met Erik many years ago when he was working at JTech. I would help clients finance the product he was selling. We had talked extensively on the phone prior to meeting in person for the first time at a trade show, so when I saw his name tag I went in for a hug. He totally denied me and stuck his hand out for a handshake instead. He thought it was HYSTERICAL lol. He has made me promise multiple times over the years to tell this story at his funeral, so this is me doing my best to fulfill the promise, Erik. It’s just way too soon.
My husband’s name is Ben Blair (coincidentally the same name as his cousin), so immediately after denying me a hug he started teaching me how to deliver a proper “punch to the breadbasket” so I could keep his cousin in line. I should say attempting to teach, because he proclaimed me inept, weak, hopeless, and probably some less PG words haha.
We shared a love of music, especially musical theater. Many phone calls from Erik started off with him belting out a song before a word was ever spoken. I wish I could make it to the memorial to sing How Great Thou Art for him, another thing he requested I do for his funeral. (We also shared a very dark sense of humor, hence the funeral talks.) He also loved Never Enough from The Greatest Showman. After singing , he typically started the conversation off by bragging about how awesome his kids are.
He was SO happy to have found Carly, and told me of his love for her, how he couldn’t believe he’d gotten so lucky to find this girl who loves him for who he is, and all about their wedding and the dances he was learning for it. The last 6 months or so has been the happiest I’ve ever known him, and I’m just so sad for him and Carly that they didn’t have more time together.
At one trade show, Erik and I were out with different groups but wound up at the same club. The dance floor was empty, until Lionel Richie’s All Night Long came on, and Erik stood up, started singing every word, and Tore. It. Up. on the dance floor. After everyone was up dancing, he went for the dramatic exit and just walked off by himself and went to bed. I will always think of him when I hear that song.
Erik was a great friend that you could share your weirdest thoughts with. He would absolutely make fun of you for them, but he was always a safe place to just be yourself. I will miss him very much.
When I was in college I came home from an errand with a friend. As I was driving toward my parents’ home and I saw a car stalled in the middle of traffic. As I got closer, I started realizing that the car was actually my car, and that my 13 year old brother Erik was trying to drive it! I couldn’t believe it. After I got him and the car home safely, I asked him what he was thinking. He said something like, “it looks fun and not that hard!” I helped teach him to drive a couple of years later, but always wondered how often he took the cars out secretly.
True story. In the third grade Erik came up to me and gave me the worst dead leg you could give with his knee to my thigh. For no reason. I collapsed to the ground and cried. Chris durfee was the bigger bully in our grade and he tackled Erik and rubbed his face in the dirt. Erik and I later became best friends.
In the fourth grade Erik and I starred in the school play “Charlie and the chocolate factory” I was Charlie, but Erik was Willy wonka. 15 years later we watched an old vhs tape of it and laughed our tails off. Erik was waddling all around the stage wearing his hip brace as Willy wonka and basically talks the entire play. He didn’t miss a single line. He was the star.
In the sixth grade we really started hanging out a lot and caused some mostly good natured mischief. Erik taught me how to fish out of the local private ponds in the neighborhood. Late ant night. Apologies to those families years later. All we needed was fishing line wrapped around our hands, a treble hook, and some bread, and to be able to run. We were little rascals but man was it fun.
Every spring we would float on inner tubes from his childhood house above highland drive to my house, below, on little cottonwood creek. One year it was extra high and later that night we proudly heard on the 10 o’clock news, which everybody watched back then, a warning that kids had been seen playing in the creek and to stay out. Erik called me most years even after we grew up and apart to ask about creek flows, and to schedule a float (we actually did float it one time as adults in the mid 2000’s). He called me last week, we scheduled a little cottonwood creek float for the first week of June both knowing it wouldnt happen. He was happy. He was with his sweetheart Carly. He talked about how great his kids are.
Erik was brilliant. He was hilarious. He was tough. He was a major part of my upbringing and one of the great characters in our lives. Cheers to you Grobes. I hope you and Jared are out fishing together.
The summer after we graduated from high school Erik would ride his bike to my house late at night and throw berries at my window. I would come out of the house and we would talk on the grass for hours. One night he wanted to go up to Brighton and walk around Silver Lake. I didn’t know how this would be possible as my car was locked up in the garage right under my mom’s bedroom. I’m pretty sure it was his idea to ask one of my friends to borrow her car. We went and knocked on her window at like 1 am and asked for her keys. She was so confused and out of it but gave us the keys anyway. Next stop was 7-11 for a slurpee: I think that was also his idea. We went up and walked around Silver Lake for a while. Then I took him home to his house and parked at the end of the driveway. We listened to Thompson Twins and talked some more. The sun started to rise and I kept trying to go home. All of the sudden we saw Sharron come down the driveway in her robe with the sweetest voice, not mad at all, with the cordless phone in her hand and said “Natalie, your mom is on the phone! “ I thought my life was over. When I got home my mom did not greet me with the same sweet voice. My first real time being grounded was because of Erik.
Whenever I’d go to Erik’s house we would often sit in the kitchen and talk to Sharon. She would always say to Erik, “be sweet” over and over again. No one is as sweet as she is.
When Easton and Haylee were in elementary school and going to American Preparatory Academy I tended them for a while. One day I had made tacos for dinner and Erik walked in after work and took the taco right out of my daughter’s hand and took a bite and gave it back to her. I was mad at the time but it makes all of us laugh now!
Erik would always criticize my text messages and spell checked and correct my grammar. When he texted me I would correct his language and his inappropriate comments. What I wouldn’t give to hear his banter and call me “unhealthy hair”. Erik was like a brother to me.
I met Erik at Hillcrest high school. I can visualize right now right where his locker was in the hallway his junior year at Hillcrest high school. Sometimes I didn’t didn’t even have a reason to go down that hall or have a class over there, but I knew that Erik would be over there. I would go over there so that we could slam each other into the lockers or make some ruckus or noise of some sort. I loved seeing him in the halls. He was always up for a stiff forearm shiver. I graduated in 1994, one year before Erik. Erik was such a remarkable and memorable individual that at our 30 year class of “94”reunion we were talking about none other than the man, the myth, and the legend “Erik Groberg”. When you are talking about people at your 30 year high school reunion and they’re not even part of your graduating class, this is evidence that he was a Legend.
Me and my brother Tom Keetch used to lift weights with Erik all the time. Erik seemed to always have some kind of new workout that he had learned and he always wanted others to test them out. One day he wanted to do stiff legged deadlifts. We did the workout and then we got in the car and left for Las Vegas. My brother and I were complaining the next day walking the streets of Las Vegas because our legs were so hammered and sore from working out with Erik. We loved working out with Erik because he always had an amazing variety of workouts at a very high intensity. Erik would always talk about these muscles at the lower part of your back that he called the Christmas tree. We would be working out and he would come over and tell us to work on our Christmas tree. He wouldn’t let us leave the gym until we did this workout. Erik used to flex his shoulders, his chest, his triceps, or his biceps and look in the mirror. He would say “check these out” or “look at this”.
Erik Groberg was a man of steel. He was so tough that if somebody asked me what his diet was, I would answer that this man ate asphalt for breakfast, rebar for lunch, and Concrete for dinner.
There’s one thing about Eric that I absolutely adore and love, it is his smile. His smile was so infectious that you could be walking down the hall at school and see him 40 yards away with this huge grin, it was almost like a permanent smile that never went away. I love his smile. Thank you for the life you lived, thank you for the example you set, thank you for the lives you touched, and thank you for being a great friend and always no matter what, having that great Big dang puppy dog smile grin on your face. I love you, Erik Groberg.
I knew Elder Groberg while serving in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission when we both served around Memphis. I remember him always having a contagious energy. Even on the mission, he was jacked. One P-Day, our entire zone went to Graceland in Memphis, specifically the graffiti wall where you could write basically anything you wanted. While some missionaries wrote things like, "Elvis is a Mormon," I remember Elder Groberg writing, "I will win Utah Toughman 1998." I'm so glad to see that he competed. He looks pretty tough in that picture.
I was his Zone Leader. One night, he called me at 2 AM or so, very upset. He said, "[NAME OF COMPANION] is out with our baptismal commit. We taught her tonight. They kept looking at each other all weird. I could tell something was going to happen. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. When he gets home, I'm going to beat the shit out of him." I asked him to please not do that. Thankfully, he didn't. As it turned out, the companion was guilty as charged. He was immediately moved. I remember wondering whose wrath I'd rather face: God's or Elder Groberg's. I think I'd rather face God's wrath. :)
I have a very simple memories of Erik. Nothing of deep importance. But more of a simple importance of a being good neighbor. He was my neighbor in Quarry Bend for 6 years. He saw my kids grow up as he sat out on the patio watching over the “pit”. We waved at each other and smiled over the years. He was a calming presence. After walking home from the gym late at nights, I always knew he’d often be out on the porch watching over the pit. Last night was the first time I walked home and my heart sank realizing that he would no longer be there. Sending my love to his family, his sweet kids and Carly.
I am SO sad to hear of Erik’s passing. :(
When we were in 3rd or 4th grade at Oakdale, Erik and I were walking alongside each other on the way back from a field trip and he picked up a praying mantis. It promptly dug its front legs into Erik’s finger and he was delighted about it haha. He had a great big smile on his face and everyone gathered around him wanting to see, Erik proudly waved it in the air saying it didn’t hurt at all.
All of us from elementary school fondly remember the leg brace. It was iconic. Erik never let it slow him down and it was actually pretty amazing to watch him run around and do everything that all the other boys were doing.
High School was a blast with many pranking wars and Erik came up with some pretty great ones. My dad still talks about us getting penny tapped. Those were fun times.
Erik will be missed. Much love to the whole family.
XO- Kacey (Wallin) Judd
Erik came out to the Tampa area when I was living there. He was on a work trip by himself. We met in the beautiful fishing village of tarpon springs and had a fish dinner together at a waterfront restaurant. He insisted he treat me. Then as we were walking back to our cars he whipped out a hundred dollar bill and handed it to me. I said what is this for..and he said..just take it and get yourself something nice with it. It was very sweet and unexpected. I appreciated it a lot.
In the 1980s elementary school gyms were dominated by the Presidential Physical Fitness Tests. Boys were tested on pull-ups, sit-ups, a shuttle run, 50 yard dash and a 600 yard run. If you were a high performer you would receive the Presidential Fitness Test patch. Erik wasn’t going to let his hip brace which made him walk with is knees spread apart stop him from competing. The teachers were giving him an opportunity to sit out. Erik wouldn’t have any of it. I will never forget him giving it his all in the 50 yard dash. With his brace clanking away he charged forward. He ended up breaking his brace which was probably an expensive repair for his parents.
Erik and I lost touch and reconnected a few times over the decades but in 2003 I was in a dark place. My son had just died and I was in the middle of a divorce. For some reason late late at night, I called Erik. I was struggling to see why life was worth living. I knew he would understand and that he was a safe person to express these feelings to. He stayed up for hours with me on the phone. He made me laugh, he listened to a broken mama and he ultimately made me promise to wake up the next day and ended the call in true Erik fashion, telling me to quit being a little baby. :)
Erik was complicated and brilliant and the last conversations I had with him always revolved around parenthood and our deep deep love for our children. He will be missed.
Erik and Jon and I had many fun adventures. One specific adventure was a fishing trip up near Strawberry. Jon and I could not catch a single fish... Erik caught like 30 in the same time... I think he had some secret bait that he wasn't letting us know about... might have been corn... Erik was a competitor through and through... nothing made him happier than to beat us in the fish catching contest that day!
This makes me so sad, Erik was always so fun and made everyone laugh. He was the guy everyone just loved. So many great memories with him. So unfair, especially that he was engaged and starting the next chapter in his life. Love you Groberg 🩷
When we first started dating I was at one of his boxing matches and no one in his weight category showed up so he had to fight in the class above. I was freaking out when the guy that entered the ring was a 6’5” cop, Erik knocked him down 3 times in the first round and the ref ended up stopping the fight! My brother-in-law looked at me and said “that’s the toughest guy I’ve ever seen!” That is true he always was and always will be the toughest guy I’ll ever know! The kids and I will stay tough for you!
My younger brothers Erik and Jared had a complicated relationship. They were 1 year apart and super close, but also had a kind of extreme sibling rivalry. Even as babies, we have home movies of them fighting in the bathtub. As they got older, the fighting naturally had to die down, frankly because it became too dangerous.
I remember one afternoon hearing a commotion outside in the back yard. Erik probably would have been around 12 years old at this time. I ran out on the porch and down the stairs. They were on the green carpet outside our basement in the back yard fighting. I arrived just in time to see Jared full on karate kick Erik, like you see in the movies, knocking him back against a rock wall. I watched Erik's eyes roll up into the back of his head and then he completely collapsed. For second I thought Jared had killed him. I ran over, and Erik came to. He was okay. But this is what I mean when I say their fights became more dangerous as they got older.
Growing up we had two cats. One was black and one was gray. When we got them as kittens there were lots of names thrown around. I remember Del wanted to name the black one Shark. We had lots of ideas for names, but could never agree. I guess that was our dynamic. So we ended up calling the cats Black and Gray. Which is boring. So before long Erik and Jared morphed the names to become Blayee and Grayee. We loved our cats but I also think we were a torment to them.
Shortly after I was married, Jennifer and I and my parents and Erik went on an amazing trip to Indonesia. I have this memory of being way out on the ocean. It was night and it was dark, without a moon. We were on a small boat, not much bigger than a row boat. Mom had stayed behind for this adventure. Dad and the guide, who was also the boat driver, were gone. They were on a night scuba dive, somewhere beneath us. So it was just Jennifer and Erik and I. All we could see when we looked down into the water was a dark endless abyss. Kind of scary, actually. We were supposed to be fishing, but we had run out of bait and had only caught one or two tiny fish. We didn't know what to do out there. Then Erik took one of the small fish, it was dead, and cut it up into small pieces. We started using those pieces for bait and that's when we started catching bigger fish. Erik loved fishing. He loved adventures and the outdoors. I love him and will miss him and look forward to reuniting with him someday.
I remember talking to Erik at a wedding shower for him and Jodi. He had to answer several questions for a game. One was, does the toilet paper roll come out over or under? He insisted it was supposed to come out under! We laughed at that together.
I was at football practice and near the end erik, carly and haylee had shown up. I had scored a touchdown around 2 plays ago. The hillcrest main football coach was watching our practice. He started talking to the coaches wife who eventually told him to talk the coach. He uptalked me, saying i was extremely commited (which i am) to football and i would do anything. The football coach said “he has two options, playing down again or trying out for jv.” My dad listened and told him “i dont even think its a thought in the back of his head to play down, he is extremely commited.” Eventually, after a while, he said “we’ll find a spot for him” After practice, my dad told me and said everything that happened. We then celebrated at the belgian waffle. I was extremely happy