Obituary of Robert Grunwell

ROBERT LOCKWOOD GRUNWELL Robert (Bob) Lockwood Grunwell, 79, of Lynchburg died January 24th. At Lynchburg General Hospital of complications from cancer treatment. He was the devoted husband of Betsy Santeimann Grunwell and loving father of three children and affectionate grandfather of five grandchildren. Born May 9, 1929 in Washington, DC., Bob was the youngest of five children of the late John R. and Charlotte L. Grunwell. His two brothers, Alfred B. Grunwell and John R. Grunwell, Jr. preceded him in death. Bob served in the Army, learning engineering maintenance, which he put to use in Korea during the Korean War. When he returned, he found a job in D.C. as a heavy equipment foreman. After moving up in the company of M.T. Broyhill & Sons, he had an accident that forced him to leave a job where footing on irregular terrain could injure him further. He discovered and bought into Hydrate Battery Corporation in 1963 in Lynchburg. After buying his partner's family out , as President he ran the company until he retired in 1986. Being fond of the water, Bob was a Sea Scout, a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club, Virginia Island Sailing Association and the United States Power Squadron. He was known for teaching many courses for safe boating and navigation. He was also very active with the Exchange Club of Lynchburg in the building of Freedom Shrines, fingerprinting school children and the annual MDA Carnival and Pancake Jamborees. As a member of the Lynchburg Civil War Roundtable he served as the Treasurer and took part in many of the meetings and outings. He is survived by his wife, Betsy; a son Randall (Randy), his wife, Robin, their children Chris and Lisa of Suwanee, GA. His eldest daughter Sharon (Grunwell) Jennings, her husband Bill, their children Kathleen, Rob and Sarah of Lynchburg. His youngest daughter Margaret of Lynchburg as well as his sisters, Mrs. Eleanor (Grunwell) Davis and Mrs. Margaret (Peggy) Grunwell Kohloss, his brothers -in-law, sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews and their children. A special thank you to all the nurses, support staff and respiratory folks who took care of Bob at the Lynchburg General Coronary Care Unit. Their caring and compassion were above and beyond their jobs. A celebration of Bob's life will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 31, 2009 at Diuguid Wiggington Chapel. Interment will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 PM Friday, January 30, 2009 at the funeral home. The family suggests that memorials be made to Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation or The Lynchburg Life Saving Crew.