Robert Joseph GRILL

GRILL (GRILLHOESL), Robert JosephFormerly of Tempe, Arizona, died May 7th, 2015 in Jasper County, South Carolina after a brief illness at the age of 89 years old.A proud father and loving grandfather before all else, his greatest source of joy and accomplishment was his 6 children, 8 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews to whom he was very close.Robert served for 2 years in the Army Air Corps in World War II in Germany before attending the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Upon completing university, he followed the family tradition of building homes in the Milwaukee area. He was known for his innovation and creativity as a quality Master Builder of fine homes. In 1961, he moved to Arizona where he was to become a partner in developing a prestigious gated community Clearwater Hills; however, the development was sold to before the partnership was finalized. Robert then branched out into what was to become his career as a serial entrepreneur in the industries of construction, medical education, investing, and bonding, which took him from the pineapple fields of Hawaii to the gold fields of Arizona. Win or lose, Bob brought a spark of genius and creative enthusiasm to all he touched. The second half of his life was blessed with the company of his devoted wife, Kaye, who stood by his side through the peaks and valleys.His family remembers great times with him playing at activities like running the canal bank, waterskiing off his boat on Canyon Lake, snow skiing trips to Flagstaff and Salt Lake City, swimming at the Wisconsin Lake cabin with his children. Even in his 80s, he delighted in dancing, especially with his daughters. He passes on a lifelong appreciation for artistic expression, music, fine dining, and family. Those who knew him loved his easy good natured spirit and the twinkle in his eye. Even during moments of acute discomfort, Bob had a bit of gentle laughter sparkling below the surface, a happy satisfaction to be alive, and still treated others with insightful kindness. He will be uniquely missed.Robert is survived by his wife Kaye (Kruse) Grill and son Matthew (Amanda) Grill of Beaufort, South Carolina; daughter Miriam Grill of Guangzhou Shi, Guangdong, China; daughter Dawn (Bob) Steuwer of Atascadero, California; son Grant (Marga) Trobaugh of Anaheim Hills, California; son James Pace, and daughter Nancy Kohlerman-Vidales (Robert Vidales), all of Phoenix, Arizona; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He has two sisters:Marion Levander of Rancho Palos Verdes and Katherine (David) Burns of Tucson, Arizona.Services will be held July 31, 2015 at 2:30pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd; Phoenix, AZ 85024. Visitation with the family to follow.Sign the Guest Book ateastvalleytribune.com
This obituary was originally published in the East Valley Tribune.