Walter H. Gruger Jr. 1932-2021

Bud was born Aug. 28, 1932, in Youngstown, the only son of Walter H. Sr. and Zenovia “Snowy” Nickel Gruger, and was raised there with his three sisters, Betty Ann (Roy) Kemper, Helen (Jack) Koehler and Barbara (David) Bradt.

Bud spent his early years in Boardman, before attending high school at Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Va., where he was a member of their national championship riflery team. He graduated in 1954 from University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., where he was a member of Air Force ROTC.

It was there he met the love of his life, Dalis Ann Yoder, who was a nursing student at Holy Cross Central School of Nursing. Bud and Dalis married in 1955 and started their life together at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.

In 1958, Bud completed active military duty and they relocated to Youngstown to join his father’s business, The Phoenix Electric Company. Over the next 50 years, Bud would become president and owner of Phoenix Electric, where he was active in professional organizations including EASA and the Youngstown Rotary Club; and served as a board member for the Florence Crittenton Home and the Electric League of Northeast Ohio.

Bud and Dalis raised five children who valued his understated demeanor, respectful parenting, entrepreneurial spirit and steadfast support. His love and devotion to family were paramount; he was a true gentleman, patient and kind.

Aside from his family, Bud’s greatest passion was sailing. He excelled in the technical aspects of the sport and loved the competition of racing. Bud and Dalis were members of Pymatuning Reservoir’s Century Club for almost 40 years, where they were awarded “Life Membership” for their many years of service. Bud was an excellent teacher and ambassador for his lifelong sport. Many Century Club members learned their sailing and racing skills under Bud’s patient instruction, which helped grow the racing fleet on the lake. Wednesday night races were the highlight of Bud’s week, never to be missed.

Bud is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Dalis; and their five children, Valerie (Mark) Haller, Becky (Brad) Borden, Walt (Dennyse) Gruger, Melissa Scott and Tom (Jennifer) Gruger. He also leaves 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who will continue his legacy.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Betty Ann Kemper and Helen Koehler; and infant granddaughters, Sarah and Caroline Borden, and Haley Scott.

A Memorial Service will be scheduled for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601; or The Michael J. Fox Foundation (Parkinson’s research), P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Arrangements by DuPage Cremations, Ltd. and Funeral Chapel 630-293-5200.

(special notice)