Joseph Robert "Bob" Gruneisen

I went to Bob´s service at LBYC and remember him writing his own obituary and was prepared to eulogize and say some words but the service didn´t allow it. It was a wonderful celebration of Bob´s life. I was a less than average Wilson swimmer and water polo player of Bob´s graduating in 1974 in the shadow of great swimmers and polo players such as Tim Shaw, John McMullen and others. Bob also was my US History teacher my junior year. My senior year, after a personal best time in a dual...

From time to time, I think of Bob, and a smile comes to my face. He was an amazing mentor and valued colleague. The greatest gift that Bob gave to myself and so many others, was his time. Bob, you are truly missed, but your wonderful spirit and zest for life, lives on in so many others.

Just seeing this all these years later....sorry to know that we lost Mr Gruneison many years back. He was my favorite teacher and a definite crush! He made his class so fun and interesting - a great gift for his students. Thank you Mr Gruneison, for taking an interest in helping me succeed, Your work and dedication has an enduring impact on my life, and the lives of many others. Well done, Mr. Gruneison.

I was a foreign student coming from the Philippines in 1971 when i was enrolled as a sophomore at Woodrow Wilson High School. Coach Gruneisen was my swimming coach along with Paul Zack my water polo coach. My goal in coming to the US was to train for the 1972 Munich Olympics. Coach Gruneisen had a very strong swimming team and water polo team. I truly enjoyed Coach Gruneisens guidance. He was a very good man. After Munich I returned to the Philippines to finish college. Several years later i...

Mr. Gruneisen, was a person who truly was interested in the students well being, and in helping them in anyway he could. He gave me many great tips on my swimming technique. He also allowed me to swim on the boys team. So I got to push my ability up to another level. I only wished I could have let him know how much I truly appreciated him. He was honest to the core, and he will be sorely missed. Thank You Mr. Gruneisen for making me feel so very special!

Mr. Gruneisen was my history teacher @ Wilson in my senior year. I graduated in 1989. Afterwards, I attended UC Riverside and UC Hastings College of the Law. I became an attorney. I think Mr. Gruneisen for his help, support, and encouragement. He was a great soul and great spirit.

Happy 85th birthday Bob! I remembered since your birthday was just 3 days after mine and I wonder if it ever landed on Mother's Day like mine has several times?
The summer is nearly here and Wilson seniors will be graduating soon. I retired two years ago and there are only a couple teachers still there from when you taught there, the last years right next door to me!
My daughter Lauren and her husband Jason and two children James and Blakesley have moved to Kauai and I visited this past...

Bob was such a rich man......all you have to do is read the outpouring of love and respect you find in these comments. He was one of two teachers at Wilson that I admired and respected. As an adult, I even tipped a few with him. He was quite a guy.
Steve Nott class of 1965

There is much to be thankful for this Holiday Season. Over the past several weeks, I have thought of Coach G. many times. Post script to what I wrote nearly two years ago, my grandson continues to grow and excell in Water Polo. This year was a special season as his team went from one week to the next, winning each game they played. It all culminated last Saturday in La Jolla with a victorious finale as he and his team, the Point Loma High School Pointers, captured the CIF championship for the...