David Paul Gruber Sr., 76, Vero Beach
David Paul Gruber Sr., 76, of Vero Beach, died on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, as a result of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease at HarborChase, a Memory Care community in Vero Beach. He was born Dec. 1, 1941, in Akron, Ohio, to Mary Isabel Gruber (nee Stumpf) and Dr. Elbert E. Gruber.
David (or Dave as many knew him) was an adventurous soul who wanted to be a scientist like his father. He excelled in math and science. He loved reading adventure, espionage and science fiction stories.
As a youth, he learned to play trumpet and rescued every animal (frog, snake, bird, rabbit) in his neighborhood that needed help.
In Ninth Grade he met Joann Marie Scuderi (sister of his best friend, Joe) and was with her ever since. He married her on Sept. 2, 1967, in Akron, Ohio.
At the time of his passing, they were wed nearly 51 years, and had known each other for 63 years.
In 1959, David graduated Arch Bishop Hoban High School in Akron. He pursued his dream of a career in science with studies at Notre Dame University, Stanford University, and Ohio State University where he received his degree in Chemistry in 1964. He completed his education in Physics for his PhD at The University of Akron. His professional career began as a chemist at General Tire & Rubber Company in Akron.
In 1978, David and his family moved to Scotia, N.Y., when he began as Technical Director at the Norton Company in Watervliet, N.Y.
In 1987, David was promoted to the role of Vice President of Norton Company’s Coated Abrasive Division at their main headquarters in Worcester, Mass. This prompted a move to Sudbury, Mass., for David and his family. In the early 1990s, he was hired as C.E.O. of The Wyman Gordon Company where he worked until his retirement in 2009.
After his retirement, he served on the Board of Directors of State Street Bank in Boston, Cambridge Semantics, Boston College, and Worcester Polytech Institute. A believer in the importance of new businesses, he took an active role in the development of many New England startup companies in the biomedical, technology and construction fields. He had made several patents. For David, scientific and financial endeavors were as much a passionate hobby as they were a business.
In 2000, he was ranked at No. 1 in The Boston Globe’s Who’s Who for Massachusetts Business leaders.
David was involved with the Notre Dame Club serving as President of the Akron chapter in the 1970s and as member of the Vero Beach chapter since moving to Florida in 2003.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved boating, fishing and swimming at his home on Sebago Lake, Maine.
He enjoyed mountain climbing, golf, reading, movies and theatre, classical music, pop music of the 1940s and 50s, rooting for Notre Dame and New England Patriots football, and meticulously caring for his houses and yards, which never had a single blade of grass out of place.
Survivors include David and Joann’s two sons, Xaque David Gruber Jr. and Robert (Terri) Gruber, who moved to Florida to help David in his final years; grandchildren, Tristan (8) and Alexander (3); siblings, Tom (Kathie) Gruber, Christine Bixon, and Carolyn (Larry) Singer; and three nephews and two nieces on the Gruber side, Leo Gruber, Beth (Patrick) Brown, Katie (Scott) King, Michael (Abby) Bixon, and Shane Singer.
Calling hours at Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach will be this Friday, June 8 from 5-7 p.m.
The Memorial Service will be at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach on Saturday, June 9 at 10 a.m.
Donations can be made in David Gruber’s memory to The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation: https://www.alzinfo.org/donate/donation_form/
Robert William Rigsby, 71, Vero Beach
Robert William Rigsby, 71, of Vero Beach, died unexpectedly at his home June 4, 2018. Bob was born to the late Grover and Pauline Rigsby on Aug. 25, 1946, in Scottsburg, Ind., and he and his family moved to Vero Beach in 1950.
Bob graduated from the Vero Beach Senior High in 1964. He married Judy Rowe, of Ft. Pierce, on Jan. 28, 1972, at Orange Avenue Baptist Church and they enjoyed 46 years of marriage together.
After graduating high school, Bob enlisted into the United States Air Force and served during the Vietnam War with the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron as a munitions weapons technician. Honorably discharged after four years of service at the rank of Sergeant, he was employed by the United States Postal Service for 35 years, retiring in 2005.
Robert is survived by his wife, Judy; and his children, Kelly (husband, Clint) Rigsby-Quam, and Tucker Rigsby; and grandson, Caspar Quam.
Interment and Military Honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 29, at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Fla.
Elaine G. Streeter, 87, Vero Beach
Elaine G. Streeter, 87, passed peacefully at Solaris Living Center of Vero Beach on June 5, 2018. She was born in Oshkosh, Wisc., and lived in Vero Beach and Sebastian area.
She was a former member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, she was active in her beliefs and enjoyed participating in the ladies Guild of her church.
She was an avid baker and loved to bake for her family and friends, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include sons, Steve (Pam) Webb, of Vero Beach, John (Cate) Webb, Jr., of Jacksonville, Robert (Jonna) Streeter, of Vero Beach; daughters, Debra (Steven) Christensen, of Vero Beach, Jill (Charran) Graham, of Ft. Pierce, Peggy Dunham, of Crystal, Mich., Linda (Craig), of Katy, Texas, Claudine (Greg) Bartnik, of Wyoming, Mich., Mary Boshers, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 19 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, John E. Webb, Sr. and Charles E. Streeter.
Contributions in Elaine’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of Vero Beach, 6230 77th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967.
A memorial service will be held on June 10 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Vero Beach at 1 p.m. with Pastor Charran Graham officiating.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
