Robert Werner Gruen's Obituary
Robert Werner Gruen passed away May 4, 2024 at his home at Spring Arbor Cottages of Fredericksburg, VA at the age of 93.
Robert was born on January 5, 1931 to his parents, Gertrud and Karl Grunebaüm, in Frankfurt, Germany. Gertrud was a Gentile, but Karl was Jewish, so their family had to endure the horrific effects of the Holocaust. Karl survived two concentration camps, Dachau and Teresianstadt, and Robert and his two brothers, Gunter (Gerry Gruen) and Hans (Henry Gruen) and their mother were placed in forced labor. Their sister, Hannelore (Eleanor Rosenblum) was too young for that, thankfully, but she still suffered great trauma. They had received post cards several times to report to train stations, but, because of American bombings, the children were not forced to go to concentration camps. The family was not accepted by either the Jewish or the Gentile community because of their mixed heritage. Robert witnessed the liberation of Frankfurt by the American Army.
In 1946, the family was able to immigrate from Germany to the United States. It is believed that they were the largest intact family to survive. They arrived in New York. Karl was sponsored by the Jewish Relief Organization, who found him a job as a cook in St. Louis, Missouri. All members of the family were naturalized as citizens and changed their names from Grunebaüm to Gruen. Robert began high school, not knowing any English. Though the teachers at first wanted to send him back to an elementary school to learn English, Robert used a dictionary and old-fashioned diligence and grit to learn the language, pass his classes, and graduate with honors. He played trombone for the school band, where he met his future wife, Florence Jane Stukey, while their combined high school bands played together for the dedication of the St. Louis Arch. Robert secured a full-ride scholarship to Washington University where he joined ROTC and obtained a degree in engineering. Robert received a regular commission to the Army, then he and Jane were married on September 7, 1951 and proceeded to travel the world as Robert was sent to various duty stations. He always felt indebted to America and believed it was his responsibility to fight to keep America free as he was not in his youth. As an officer in the Army, Robert served in air defense artillery and as a research and development coordinator. During the course of his career, he received the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Overseas Service Bars, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Parachutist Badge, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm. He has always been a very loyal American and has proudly displayed the flag outside his home. Robert served in many places, including Vietnam and Korea, and retired from the Army in 1984 after 30 years with the rank of Colonel. He and his high school sweetheart, Jane, were married for 72 years.
Robert was a loving, loyal, and caring husband to Jane. He was also a loving and caring father to his three children, David, Barbara, and Kathleen, and grandfather to Meg Pultz. When Kathleen was born with the condition of Down’s syndrome, he started the life-long mission of ensuring a good life for her, both physically and financially. In addition to the people named above, Robert also deeply loved his brothers, his sister, his parents, his in-laws and all his nieces and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Jane; his parents, Gertrud Lena Gruen Walker and Karl Grunebaüm, his father and mother-in-law Henry Lawton Stukey and Melva Sweezy Stukey; his son, David Ray Gruen; his brothers, Gerry Gruen and Henry Gruen; his sister, Eleanor Rosenblum; his sister-in-law, Bea Gruen (who actually passed away just after him) and his nephew, Stanley Gruen.
Robert is survived by his daughters, Barbara Wilks and Kathleen Gruen; his daughter-in-law, Patricia Gruen; his grandchildren, Meg (Hollis) Pultz, Daune (Jon) Hyams, and Janelle (Mark) Huffman; his great grandchildren, Hannelore Pultz, Dana Pultz, Jasper Hyams, Raquel (Anthony) Brown, Joele Davenport, and Gage Davenport; his great-great grandchildren, Benjamin Brown and Bailey Brown; his brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Carol Stukey (and their descendants); his nephews and nieces, Al (Debbie) Gruen (and their descendants) and Doug (Jane) Gruen (and their descendants); and the daughters and son of his sister Eleanor, Robin Scott, Barry Rosenblum, Natalie Rosenblum, and Lorrie Rosenblum Chappelle, and their spouses and descendants.
A celebration of life for Robert will take place in Georgia. A date has not yet been determined. He will be interred at Quantico National Cemetery at a future time.
In memorial of Robert’s life, we ask that friends and family make a donation to InCommunity in lieu of flowers, the organization that has cared for Robert and Jane’s daughter, Kathleen, for many years. Follow the link below to make a contribution to InCommunity and please be sure to include Robert’s name as the honoree's name. https://secure.everyaction.com/cQzLXG2ufkqr5Di6l6eVIw2
Robert loved well and was well-loved.
James 1:17-18
Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.
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