Paul L. Gruner

Paul L. Gruner, architect, artist, and world traveler, was born in Detroit and earned his B.A. in Architecture from the University of Michigan. When drafted into the Army in 1955, he was sent west and discovered beautiful Marin County. Paul lived in California until his death following pneumonia on January 9, 2018, at age 85.

Paul’s first architectural job with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill took him halfway around the world, to Australia. He made an adventuresome 8-mo. journey home by way of Japan, Cambodia, India, and the Middle East, taking stunning photos along the way.

Paul’s later work included design detail for the Epcot Center in Florida and sojourns near the North Pole tundra “among oil pipes and a sea of white”.

Paul was active in several community organizations, and led numerous hikes in the San Francisco area. His avid interest in the arts made him a frequent contributor of his signature cartoons, puzzles, limericks and insightful articles.

He is survived by his two sisters, Barbara King and Nancy Strong, brothersin-law James King and Bill Strong, and Paul’s nephews and nieces and their spouses and children in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Spain. The family observed a Minute of Silence in his honor on Sun., January 14.

Paul looked upon his life in a wry, accepting way that was self-deprecating and yet full of daring-do resolve. He was generous to many non-profits, and gifts in his memory may be made to: - Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), 111 Sutter St. #20, San Francisco CA 94104 - People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), 1536 16th St. NW, Wash. DC 20036