KENNETH CARL GRUBER

1921-2017

Kenneth Carl Gruber, born on May 25, 1921, in St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2017 in Kirkland, Washington. He was 96. Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ellan (Warner) Gruber, and his parents Alfred Carl Gruber and Blanche Edna (Cramer) Gruber. Ken spent his early years in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1939. He attended Kansas City Junior College and then worked for Mid-Continent airlines. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 during WWII, serving as an Aviation Machinist Mate, 1st Class, as part of the Naval Air Transport Service, and later became a Naval officer. He was honorably discharged and attended the University of Colorado, where he earned BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering in 1947. He held membership in Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma honors organizations, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Ken met his wife to be, Margaret, while both were students at the University of Colorado. They were married on July 26, 1948, moved to Houston in 1949, and celebrated 64 years of joyful marriage there in 2012, before Margaret’s passing in 2013. In Houston, Ken worked for the Marley Company, a manufacturer of industrial cooling and heat exchange equipment, rising to Vice President and Regional Manager for Texas and four nearby states. He retired after 50 years of service, garnering numerous awards and serving as President of industry organizations ASHRAE and CTI. Ken was always active, enjoying dancing, tennis, golf, bird hunting, photography, contract bridge and international travel. In his later years in Houston, he enjoyed singing hymns while Margaret played piano for the senior adult group at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, where both were active members for over 55 years. Kenneth Gruber is survived by son William Gruber and daughter-in-law Regina (Roy) Gruber of Warwick, New York; son Michael Gruber of Kirkland, Washington; grandsons Paul and his wife Bridget (Hohner) Gruber; John, Thomas, and Joseph Gruber; great-grandchildren Sam and Ellen Gruber. He was devoted to his wife, sons, and extended family; his love, support, intellect, and wise counsel will be greatly missed. A private graveside service with military honors was held in Utica, Ohio, on November 25, where he was laid to rest alongside Margaret. A memorial service is to be conducted at 10:00 AM on Friday, December 8, at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive in Houston, with a reception to follow. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to either the Evergreen Health Foundation benefiting the Stroke and Neurosciences Center (https://www.evergreenhealthfoundation. com/events/evergreengala/ beneficiary/) or the National Stroke Foundation (http:// www.stroke.org/ways-give).