Kenneth Carl Gruber : May 25, 1921-November 17, 2017

Kenneth Carl Gruber, born on the 25th of May 1921, in St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Friday, the 17th of November 2017 in Kirkland, Washington, at 96 years of age.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ellan (Warner) Gruber, and his parents Alfred Carl Gruber and Blanche Edna (Cramer) Gruber.

Kenneth spent his early years in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Wyandotte High School as a member of the Class of 1939. From an early age Ken was a scholar and competed for the citywide Summerfield scholarship taking second place, and then attended Kansas City Junior College. He began working as a draftsman for Mid-Continent airlines, and subsequently enlisted in the Navy in 1942 during WWII as an Aviation Machinist Mate, 1 Class. His Navy travels took him from Olathe, KS, to Minneapolis, MN and ultimately New York City, where he served as part of the Naval Air Transport Service (later Military Air Transport Service). Kenneth seized an opportunity to attend officer training school at the University of Colorado and then Cornell University, becoming a Naval officer. He was honorably discharged and returned to the University of Colorado where he earned Bachelors and Master of Science Degrees in Mechanical Engineering in 1947. He held membership in Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma honors organizations, and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Kenneth met his wife to be, Margaret Ellan Warner, 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, Kenneth began a distinguished career at the Marley Company, a manufacturer of industrial cooling and heat exchange equipment, rising to Vice President and Regional Manager for Texas and four other nearby states. He retired after 50 years of service, garnering numerous awards along the way. He was an acknowledged and revered leader in his field, serving as President of industry organizations ASHRAE and CTI. He was a member of the Houston Engineering and Scientific Society, Petroleum Club, and Lakeside Country Club where he spent many wonderful hours socializing, dining and dancing with his wife, Margaret, and friends. Ken was always active, enjoying tennis, golf, bird hunting, photography (teaching himself Photoshop in his 80s), and international travel. Ken enjoyed playing contract bridge with his wife Margaret as his favorite partner. In his later years in Houston, he enjoyed singing hymns while his wife 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 [Dr. William "Bill" Carl Gruber (born 1953)] and daughter-in-law Regina (Roy) Gruber of Warwick, New York; son [Michael Charles Gruber (born 1960)] of Kirkland, Washington; grandsons Paul and his wife Bridget (Hohner) Gruber; John, Thomas, and Joseph Gruber; great grandchildren Sam and Ellen Gruber.

Kenneth was a role model for family and friends as the consummate gentleman and scholar. 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, at 11 o’clock in the morning, November 25, when he will be laid to rest alongside his beloved wife Margaret.