Fred H. Gruber

Fred H. Gruber, age 83, son of Janet and Fred W. Gruber, born February 16, 1941 in Waynesburg, Ohio died April 22nd, 2024 peacefully at CHP hospice after a long battle with multiple myeloma. Fred was a proud graduate of Ohio University.  It was there that he and Nancy Ann Gruber (Russell) met in the band and later married.  Fred had a lifelong career in education, starting with teaching at Lorain Admiral King High School and then later moving with his family to Defiance.  He was a guidance counselor at Defiance High School as well as a consumer education teacher for their summer school sessions.  In addition, he was both the boys and girls cross country coach for 15 years during which time he coached numerous teams to WBL championship and state runners.  He later added coaching Jr.High track and HS pole vault coaching as well as collegiate level coaching at Trine University.  After he left coaching he spent time officiating meets both in the US and Canada.  He never seemed to be able to sit still and truly leave behind working with students in one capacity or another.   Just within the last 5 years he came out of coaching retirement to coach the girls HS cross country team for one final season.   
       Fred is survived by his beloved 3rd Nancy, his brother Tom Gruber, La Jolla, CA, his 3 children; Matt (Mari), Glendale, CA , Mark, Ft. Wayne, IN, and Amy Gruber Kieffer (John), Greensboro, NC.  Fred is also survived by his grandsons, William and Benjamin Kieffer, Greensboro, NC, and Nathan Gruber, (Seon Kim) Ft. Wayne, IN. 
       Fred was preceded in death by Nancy Ann Gruber (Russell), his 2nd Nancy, Nancy Amsbaugh, his niece Krystie Russell, and his nephew David Russell.
       Fred touched the lives of many throughout his life as a guidance counselor and coach.  He was known to many as just “Coach”.  It was hard to go around Defiance and not meet up with someone that knew Mr. Gruber.  He made lifelong friends in this wonderful small town in Northwest Ohio.  He especially enjoyed his weekly card games with the “card boys”, taking trips to Cleveland to see his favorite baseball team, The Cleveland Guardians, and time just puttering with a project.   He will be greatly missed by all those who love him.  A celebration of life will take place on June 15th, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at St. John UCC in Defiance, Ohio.

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