As I'm planning my trip to UD for our 10 year reunion I can't help but think about our great memories with Pete and all our friends.  I always smile when I think of our time on campus and how much Pete made me laugh.  10 years have flown by and Pete will be deeply missed at UD in June.

Your Special Day

Happy Birthday Pete! Thinking of you on the eve of your 32nd birthday and remembering the joy that you brought into our lives. Miss you everyday. Love you forever, for always. Mom, Dad and Paul xoxo

The five year anniversary weekend has come to a close. The inner posse returned to the homestead for a day of golf and an evening of companionship and consolation. The families are growing and the young ones are too precious for words. It is wonderful to see everyone parenting and engaging. Dan and Kate's engagement brings new hope and love in bloom. Life comes full circle. And in the center of it all, Pete's presence and absence is felt. We remain grateful for the love of friends who continue to see us through on our grief journey. Pete, we miss you everyday. We love you. Forever. For Always. Mom xoxoxo

I'm always thinking of you, Pete.  Miss you! 
Love, Mel

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETE

Dad, Paul and I are huddled together today, thinking of you on your 31st birthday. We miss you everyday. Our hearts ache for you. Love, Mom

Miss you Pete... my prayers continue to be with all your loved ones.

Miss you Pete.

The UD Tree

The last of our two big old Buckeye trees in the front yard has died. The first tree died the year after Pete and we have been nursing its companion for 3 years. It didn't leaf out this spring and so it goes after a good 100+ year life. I never stopped to think about why Pete's classmates picked a Buckeye Tree to plant in his honor. Funny how some things just come full circle... I stopped at UD today to see if Pete's tree had blossoms and it does- 28 blooms to be exact. Yellow. Only one blossom was open, the rest will likely come to full beauty this week. It was really beautiful and I am sure will be spectacular mid week. I couldn't help but stand there and sob and think about the many kindnesses of Pete's classmates for planting this lifesource for us. And to see it so healthy and in bloom was a reminder of love and goodness in the world. It is our 35th UD re-union this June and we plan to trek to the Tree with our own classmates (several who attended the planting and dedication in Fall 2008) and relive that event. Miss everyone. Miss Pete. Love, Helene (mom)

Golf Outing

The Pete Gruber Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing will kick back this year and be a non-fund raising event. A casual afternoon of golf and fellowship will take place at the Hamilton Elks on Sunday May 27th. Interested players should contact Bob Gruber for tee-time and reservation. Pizza, beer and dinner will follow at the Elks for any interested persons; just let Bob know you are coming. Next year on Pete's 5th anniversary we will hold the traditional Golf Outing and raise funds for his scholarship program. Applications for the 2012 scholarship year have been received and are under review. Check back for winner announcement at the end of May. Love to all, especially Peter! Helene, Bob and Paul

HAPPY 30th PETE!

Miss you bud!

Happy 30th Birthday Pete

Dad, Paul and I are here in Cabo holding you in thought and prayer. We will toast to you tonight and hope that your celebration in heaven rivals those you had on earth. We miss you Pete. Everyday. Dad and I remember that special day thirty years ago when you stole our hearts. Our love for you still continues to grow.

Happy Birthday, my love.

Your Mom forever.

xxoo

Another Summer Over

The now dreaded season of our life is over for this year. Summer began with another successful Pete Gruber Memorial fundraiser on Memorial Day weekend. 80+ golfers and 169 diners came together to honor and remember Pete. It was a beautiful sunny day which turned into a glorious evening of friendship, reminiscing and comfort. The young families are growing and we enjoyed watching the little ones run around the putting green in bare feet, screaming sheer joy. Domenic Ceccoli, proud Pete Gruber scholar #2, attended the event with his mother and served a role as MC of silent auction and awards. Way to go Domenic; on his way to developing a similar Pete style humor and good nature.

This year's scholar (#3) was awarded to Logan Sheets in May. A kind and sweet young man on his path to becoming a great Man of Moeller. We are encouraged by all three scholars zest for life and their caring manner.

The year of the 30 something's began as Pete's friends slowly turn that prime age. We appreciate taking part in the celebrations of this passage in their life.

Summer finished with Paul returning home safely from medical mission in Thailand. And we await the birth of Mark's firstborn- (Pete's best childhood friend). Life comes full circle and we rejoice in staying connected and a part of Pete's friends.

Love to our Peter. We miss you everyday and more. We hope you and Grandma are enjoying the second celebration today of her re-birthday in heaven.

Love, Mom
xoxo

Kurt Oblinger Heavenly Reunion

The sad news reached us last evening of the passing of Kurt Oblinger. A great young man with a heart of gold. It was Kurt who arrived on our doorstep that morning in May to help Paul, Bob and I with our grief. He understood all too well the loss of a brother and the grief of parents in their state of shock. He knew from his own experience with the loss of his brother Keith 2 years before, what to do and say to us.

I remember he asked where to find pictures and he put together a wonderful gift - the slide shows of Pete's life (see on the website here). He made copies of the video for all of us and organized the viewing at Pete's celebration of life and the website. A very kind, thoughtful and methodical gift from a man with a heart of gold.

Over the past three years, Kurt would drop into our lives with a loving nudge and make sure Paul was okay. His quiet nature and good humor was always a welcome respite.

When the news reached us last evening of Kurt's death, I had a great sense of a fabulous re-union taking place in heaven between brothers Kurt and Keith. And in the joy of that moment, I know Pete was there to join in the festivities and exclaim a party event in Kurt's honor. I am sure the celebration is still going strong.

I thank my God for Kurt; the man he was and the compassionate heart he shared with us all. While his own heart and donor heart gave out by 26 years of age, his courage and love last forever in those lives he touched. God bless Kurt.

Helene

happy birthday!

happy belated birthday pete...miss you every day. love you!

Happy Birthday Pete!!

Miss you buddy. Love you

Birthday Remembrance

Thinking of you today Pete and carrying you in our hearts.

Love,
Mom, Dad, and Paul
xxoo

2nd Annual Pete Gruber Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing

The place to be on Sunday May 29, 2011 is Glenview Golf Course.

$125 player fee includes 18 holes of golf, prizes, lunch and buffet dinner.
$25 dinner fee for additional guests.

Dinner will take place in the club room at Glenview, immediately following the outing.

Watch for more details; flyers and sign up information is forthcoming. New players welcomed!

Amazing Grace

Over the years, when the UD Quarterly would arrive in the mail, the first column I would turn to before the class notes was Thomas Columbus' editorial. I always found great comfort, joy and a chuckle from his musings on campus life and UD's far lasting impact on my world. Thomas has retired and published a book of these editorials, called Amazing Grace. The UD bookstore holiday flier promoted this book and I liked the fact that half of the book's sale price goes to fund Thomas' son's memorial scholarship at UD. Another bereaved parent from UD; seemed so fitting to me that I sent Paul to the UD bookstore to pick up a few copies. Thomas' book did not disappoint me. I fervently read the stories from cover to cover, only this time from the perspective of my alumni years and Pete's class years and the mutual grief of a child lost. I have been filled with the greater understanding of the powerful grace that UD faculty, students and alumni have brought into our life. Beyond the porch connections and community spirit, the UD experience was Pete's beloved glory and we shared that love along with him.

The mail this Christmas season brought pictures of 3 new future Flyers, compliments of the proud Hicks, Bollin and Hinker families. We understand there are a few more born as well and we appreciate everyone staying in touch with us. Pete would be talking our arms off about each of your adventures; so we appreciate you filling that void and keeping us involved in the busyness of your lives.

This is our third Christmas without Pete. Each one seems to get more difficult rather than easier. I think it's because so much has happened and the more stories there are to tell, the more his absence seems stronger. I know Paul would love to chat with him about his medical school adventures, and Bob, his golf score and new driver! And me, well, I just miss him terribly.

We send our best wishes for a blessed and peaceful new year to everyone. We hope to see you in May for Pete's second annual golf outing.

Love to all, especially Peter
Helene (Mom)

UD Tree

Paul and I visited campus today to check out Pete's tree by the new PAC. I forgot it was a Buckeye and despite the drought, it looks very healthy. It seems to bend a bit toward Trinity but I suppose that's the natural evolution of a good UD student!

So hard to believe that the tree has been there 2 years now this month. It was a glorious sun filled day today, reminiscent of planting day.

We miss everyone as well as Pete, and wish all the best.

Love,
Helene, Bob and Paul