Robert D. Grausam

Robert Daniel Grausam 

Our beloved Bob left us all too soon on August 29, 2024, at the age of 71. Bob was born in Newark, NJ on April 28, 1953. Bob grew up in Westfield, NJ and graduated from Holy Trinity High School. He went on to attend and graduate from NJIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. For the majority of his career, he commuted to New York City and worked in various reinsurance companies. He retired as Vice President from SCOR Reinsurance Company. Bob enjoyed his career and the people he worked with.  

Bob will be missed dearly by his family. He had unconditional love for his son, Keith and his daughter, Leah. His greatest joy was spending time with his entire family. He was the caretaker of his father’s memory including accomplishments from his professional baseball career to his heroic WWII service and proudly shared it with others. He was blessed to have a wonderful circle of friends and they enjoyed some amazing times together. Many special memories were made with family and friends.  

Bob enjoyed many different activities. He started riding motorcycles early in life and enjoyed taking long trips with friends. He played several different sports throughout his life, ending with an over 50’s softball league where he made lasting friendships. Not long after retirement, Bob and Joan purchased “Big Blue,” their enormous RV. They, along with their dog, Phoenix, had great adventures traveling. Bob and Joan loved cruising with the top down, especially in his mustang. Bob and his son, Keith, shared a love of guns and enjoyed their time together shooting. Some of his favorite activities were boating, skiing and golfing. Bob generously gifted a vacation cruise to the Caribbean for all of his children and their companions. One of the greatest adventures of his life was the trip from Cayuga Lake to New York City travelling down the Erie Canal and the Hudson River, going through twenty-five locks with Joan, his brother Mike and Vicki. 

Bob was dear friends with Joan for many years before they fell in love. Together, they purchased an 1879 Victorian fixer-upper. Bob did a full renovation and made it their dream home. Joan arrived by canoe to their wedding ceremony in their backyard. Joan was the love of his life, and they enjoyed 31 amazing years together. Bob was Joan’s everything and a true gift from God. Their marriage was filled with love, respect and many wonderful adventures.  

Bob is survived by his beloved children Keith, Leah and Garrett (Sara) Wiese, granddaughter Mackenzie, his brother Mike (Vicki) Grausam, and sisters Kathy Grausam and Sue (Jack) Bullock and many nieces and nephews. 

Friends and family are invited to visitation on September 4, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gray Memorial Funeral Home, located at 12 Springfield Ave., Cranford, NJ, and the funeral on September 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Hollywood Memorial Park in the Chapel of Remembrance, 1500 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a tribute gift be made in Bob’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org or The New Jersey Veterans Network at NJVN.org.