Robert "Bobby" Gene Gruetzner

Robert Gene (Bobby) Gruetzner, also known as “Pappaw,” was born on January 22nd 1935. He departed this life on Sunday September 14, 2014 in Elgin Texas at the age of 79 years old.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Andanilla Gruetzner of Elgin, and his daughter Susan Gruetzner Fromme, also of Elgin.

“If one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” I Corinthians 12:26. Bobby had been suffering in pain for the past seven years of his life. Today we rejoice together, because we know he is pain free, in Heaven living with Jesus his Savior.


Bobby was married to Jeanette Campbell Gruetzner for 63 years. She was the “love of his life” as he said, just three months ago, and together they spent their lives providing a loving home for their family of 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, and 2 new great granddaughters on the way. Bobby was a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin for 58 years. He could recite the Lord’s Prayer and parts of the Lutheran Liturgy, up until his last moments on this earth. Bobby’s lifetime occupation was a mechanic, and he had hundreds of wonderful and loyal customers. He loved spending time with his family, ranching, watching the Texas Longhorns, the Dallas Cowboys, the Houston Astros, and the San Antonio Spurs.

Words cannot say enough of how loving, kind, and trustworthy he was, and what a great example he was to his family. Bobby was an inspiration to his family as he taught them to love God, take care of family, how to work hard, and how to enjoy the simple things in life such as the whole family gathering together for a meal.

Bobby is survived by his wife Jeanette Campbell Gruetzner, son Duane Gruetzner, daughter Dianna Gruetzner Prinz, son-in-law Edgar Prinz Jr., son-in-law Chuck Fromme and his wife Debbie, siblings Otto Gruetzner Jr. and his wife Fay, James Gruetzner and his wife Millie, August “Uce” Gruetzner and his wife Jeri, and Anna Marie Gruetzner Teinert and her husband Willard. Grandchildren Melinda and Bryan Zoch, Scott and Jennifer Prinz, Craig and Ami Fromme, Jenny Nixon, Ryan and Codie Fromme, Erik and Jennifer Prinz. He is also survived by great grandchildren BJ and Faith Zoch, Tyler, Gage, and Taylor Prinz, Grace and Gunnar Fromme, McCrae and Maison Williamson and Cole Davis, and Ryan Lane Fromme along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and other loving family members, and friends.

Papaw, we will never forget the memories you have blessed us with. Thank you for showing us your faith in God, in family, and for showing us true strength. As the words of the song He’s Strong by Will Hoge tell us, Papaw, you were “Strong like the river rolling. Strong, going to keep on going. Strong when the road runs out they’re going to keep on talking about how he was strong. Rock solid inside out. Somebody you can trust, steady as the sun. Ain’t nothing going to knock him off the road he’s rolling on. He’s strong. Everybody knows he ain’t just tough, He’s strong.”


The family will receive guests 6:00-7:30 PM Wednesday, September 17, 2014, Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, September 18, 2014, Grace Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in the Elgin Cemetery.