Richard Max "Dick" Gruenwald

Richard Gruenwald Obituary

Family-Placed Funeral Notice

RICHARD MAX GRUENWALD “Dick”1928 - 2005 Age 76, of Palm Beach Gardens, passed away September 8, 2005. Dick was born to Ernst and Cecile Deutsch Gruenwald on December 16, 1928, in New York City and was a resident of Palm Beach Gardens for 39 years. In 1940, Dick and his mother moved to Ft. Pierce, FL. He graduated from St. Lucie County High School in 1945. At Florida Southern College, he majored in journalism. After graduation, Dick began his car- eer as a reporter for The Gadsden (AL) Times. In 1951, he was called to active duty in the Army. That same year he married Caroline Briggs. After his tour of duty, he returned to journalism and worked for the Americus (GA) Times- Recorder, the Columbus (GA) Ledger-Enquirer and the Miami (FL) News. He also worked in the news departments of WDEC Radio, Americas (GA), Fort Pierce (FL) News Tribune and WIRA Radio, Fort Pierce (FL). He conducted the public relations for the ABC daily television program “Treasure Isle” and was the Florida East Coast public relations director of General Development Corp. He continued his military experience where he served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve with a MOBDES assignment in the Army's Public Affairs Office (Community Relations Division) in the Pentagon. In 1970, he started Dick Gruenwald Associates, a public relations/advertising agency. An important part of Dick's life was community service. He served as an elder for the Edgewood Presbyterian Church in Columbus, GA, and as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach, FL. Active in the civic life of the community, he served as a director of the Better Business Bureau of Palm Beach County, Northern Palm Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club of the Palm Beaches, Discover Palm Beach County, Business Inc. of the Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Downtown (West Palm Beach) Association, The Center for Information and Referral Services, Diabetic Foundation of America, Forum Club of the Palm Beaches and the Airport '88 Committee. He was past president of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Public Relations Society of Amer- ica (PRSA), and a member of the Advertising Club of the Palm Beaches. He also was a member of Sigma Delta Chi (Professional Society). Dick is survived by his wife, Caroline, of 54 years; four children: Steven (Laura Lee), Sharon Gruenwald, Laura (Jeff) Bender, and Janice (David) Aponte; and eight much-loved grand- children: Jessy, Angeline, and Katy Scotten, Coleman and Clayton Bender, Jeremy and Jason Aponte, and Jessica Swift. He is also survived by Jim and Dolly Briggs and nieces Nancy (Dan) Zehler and Dianne (George) Goshorn. The family will receive friends at Royal Palm Funeral Home from 5–7PM Monday, September 12. A chapel service will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, September 13, followed by entombment in Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, 5601 Greenwood Ave., West Palm Beach, (561) 848-8659. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Dick's name to the American Parkinson Disease Association Inc., 1250 Hylan Blvd., Suite 4-B, Staten Island, NY 10305 or Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407.

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Published by The Palm Beach Post on Sep. 11, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Gruenwald

3 Entries

Donna DeNinno

September 12, 2005

When I arrived in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, in 1982, I saw an advertisement in the paper for an art director at a company called Dick Gruenwald Associates. I answered the ad and have been here ever since. It was the only job I applied for. In the last few days, I've spoken with a number of people who have worked for Dick over the years and they all said they owed him a debt of gratitude for their success in life.

In the 23 years I've known Dick, I can genuinely say he was the nicest person I've ever known...both in business and in his personal life. As I didn't have any family in Florida, Dick and his family always invited me to spend holidays with them so I wouldn't be alone. Not many bosses would do that in today's business world.

I don't think Dick ever wanted to retire. He once told me he didn't have any hobbies and loved working with people, so he'd just as soon keep on working. The only thing that mattered more to him was his family.

In my mind's eye, I can still see him sitting at his desk... smiling...which is exactly the way it should be.

Rick Allen

September 12, 2005

Your husband/dad was a friend of mine that I really respected in my field of business. Dick guided me professionally in my early years and continued to do so throughout our relationship. It is his calm manner of dealing with life that I will miss greatly. May he rest in peace.

Julia Kight

September 12, 2005

I was so saddened when I read the news about Dick. I have been gone from Dick Gruenwald Associates for about 12 years, but all the wonderful memories came flooding back. I loved working for Dick, but I moved south and had to make a change. What I remember most about Dick was his gigantic heart! He always made sure that family came first and always extected us to put our family first before our work. That meant so much as a single parent with two small children. He always came into the office with a smile and made me feel like part of his family too. Thank you Laura, for telling me about the job opening, so I was able to have the privilege of working with your Dad. My wonderful memories will last forever. God Bless you all and may your memories help ease you through this difficult time. Sincerely, Julia Kight

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