Robert "Bob" Gruman

Robert "Bob" Gruman

Robert 'Bob' Gruman, aged 89, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Bethesda Nursing Home in Aberdeen, SD. He was a beloved father, husband, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home in Aberdeen, SD on Thursday July 18th from 3-7pm, with prayer service to follow at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen, SD on Friday July 19th at 10am. A private family burial will follow. A funeral lunch will be served at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family encourages you to consider a donation to Storybook Land in Aberdeen.

Bob was born on August 29, 1934, to Joe and Rose 'Rosie' Gruman in Jessie, ND. He grew up on a farm south of Hannaford, ND and attended rural elementary school. He attended high school in Hannaford and graduated from a class of 11 in 1952. He enlisted in the Army and did a tour of duty in South Korea as a tugboat commander. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class and returned to the farm in North Dakota in 1955. Bob attended North Dakota State University (NDSU), graduating with a bachelor's degree in business administration and communication in 1960 and a master's degree in Ag Economics in 1965. Bob later attended the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking in Madison. He was on campus in August 1970 when a math building was bombed by anti-war protesters. Bob started his long banking career with First National Bank in Minneapolis in 1967. In 1972 he accepted a Senior Vice President position at Aberdeen National Bank in Aberdeen, SD. In 1986 he took a position as Senior Vice President of the Bank of North Dakota in Bismarck, reporting to future Senator John Hoeven. He retired in 1996 but spent several more years consulting for various Agricultural and Business groups after retirement, including being on the Board of Directors for Dacotah Bank.

Bob met his future wife Mary (Kelly) Gruman at First National Bank in 1967. They were married at Holy Name Catholic church in Minneapolis on October 26, 1968. They welcomed their first son Joseph 'Joe' Gruman in 1970 and a second, John, in 1974. His history of giving back to his community included organizations such as the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish council, the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Northeast Mental Health Center, the Boys and Girls club, and the Sertoma Club. As a Sertoman, he became very active in building and fundraising for his favorite Aberdeen attraction, Storybook Land. In May 2024, the park's latest attraction, Bob's Barnyard, was named after Bob in recognition of over 45 years of dedication to Storybook Land development.

Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary (Kelly) Gruman; his children: Joe Gruman and wife Gina of Bismarck, ND, and John Gruman and wife Amy of Aberdeen, SD; brother Allen Gruman; and grandchildren: Katie, Andrew, and Avery Gruman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Rose Gruman, stepmother Martha Gruman, brothers Charles 'Chuck' Gruman, Larry Gruman, and Jerry Gruman, and grandchildren Peter and Anna Gruman. www.spitzerfuneralhome.com