Gruenewald, Gary James, born 4 November 1950, passed away on 8 March 2011 after a valiant battle against cancer. HUSBAND of 34 years to Maria (Moretti), BROTHER of Carol (Gruenewald) Morganti (Marvin) and Dr. Richard Gruenewald (Joyce Clements), BROTHER-in-law of Agatha (Moretti) Schmidt (Jeffrey), Ernie Moretti (Sue), Anthony Moretti (Linda), Sal Moretti (Debra), Renato Moretti Jr. (Theresa), and SON-in-law to Renato Moretti, Sr. and Mary (Valenti). Gary was UNCLE to many nephews and nieces whom he adored. Gary was an UMSL graduate who worked as a teacher in the St. Louis area and later a technical writer. Gary loved nature and he camped and hiked all over the country. He was a daredevil, rollerblading down Glenwood Canyon and scaling Long's Peak. Mountains spoke to his soul, and he was happiest near them. He was a great lover of books and the written word, and amassed a great collection of first editions. Gary was an avid skier, preferring to schuss straight down the hill because "turning is dangerous." Gary loved to travel, whether it was a long drive cross country or a grand tour of Europe. He took great pleasure in using up his wife's frequent-flyer miles in first-class, slugging down as much vodka as they would serve him. One of Gary's greatest achievements was to build with his own hands his passive solar, multi-level, custom home. He was a kind and generous man, fearless in his approach to life, even as he faced its last grim challenge. His charity of choice is the one he established to encourage future high school math and English teachers: The Mimi and Gogie Scholarship Fund, c/o UMSL, One University Drive,
230 Woods, St. Louis, MO 63121. Memorial service to be scheduled at a later date.
