GRUCHOW, Kirby 1949-2019

GRUCHOW, VAN OORT

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 8/28/2019 at 16:29:28

Kirby Gruchow

Kirby was Born in Spencer Iowa on 14 September 1949 at the Clay County Hospital to Lyle Wester Gruchow and Marian (Van Oort) Gruchow. Kirby Moved to Traer, Iowa in 1956 and attended Traer Community School graduating in 1967. Kirby Attended Marshalltown Community College in 1967 and entered the United States Army in 1968.

Kirby Took basic training and Infantry Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana and Attended Combat Engineering Advanced Individual Training and US Army Leadership Preparation Course graduating as distinguished graduate at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri in 1968. Kirby Was selected to attend the US Army Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma graduating 4 January 1970.

Kirby Was selected for the US Army Flight School and took Basic Flight at Ft. Walters, Texas and then attended Advanced Flight Training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama where he was selected as one of two individuals for advanced instrument training and graduating on 14 October 1970.

Kirby Was transferred to Viet Nam in November 1970 where he was a helicopter pilot for the 175th Assault Helicopter Company and later was transferred as a detachment commander for the 13th security group over security at Vihn Long South Vietnam. In November 1970 Kirby was reassigned as Headquarters Company Commander for the 1st Battalion 5th Training Brigade at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Kirby left active duty in July 1973 and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and Joined D troop air cavalry national guard in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1974 and flew as a pilot with them until 1979.

In April 1974 Kirby moved to Waterloo, Iowa, in and went to work for John Deere. Kirby worked as a security guard, production worker, and 20 years as an electrician also serving as Union Steward for the Local 838 UAW. Kirby Retired from John Deere in 2003 with 29 years and 1 foundry credit and went to for the Door Division of Jeld-wen Corporation in Grinnell, Iowa from December 2003 until May 2006 and then went to work for West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, Iowa from May 2006 until November of 2014 as a maintenance supervisor.

In November 2014 Kirby moved to Waterloo and went to work for Midwest Properties Service as a project manager where he worked until 2016 when he started his electrical contracting business back up.

Kirby is preceded in death by his father Lyle Wester Gruchow on 7 January 1969 and his first wife Linda Gale (Davis) Gruchow on 9 November 1979, His brother Lynn, and mother Marian.

Kirby is survived by his wife Patricia K (Miner) Gruchow, two sons and one daughter. Kirby Gruchow Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada, Kaelan Gruchow of Des Moines, Iowa and Amanda Lehman of Kansas City, Missouri. Two step sons- Erik Anderson (Natasha) of Green Bay, Wisconsin and Christopher Roszell of Denver, Colorado. A Sister in Law Shirley Gruchow and 3 brothers Dennis (Jan) Gruchow of Waterloo, Iowa and Timothy (Sarah) Gruchow of Freemont, California, Keith Gruchow of Marshalltown Iowa, and a Sister in Law Shirley Gruchow in Traer, Iowa and 4 grandchildren. Kirby is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Kirby enjoyed spending time fishing, camping. Kirby was proud of his service to his country, and his children and grandchildren.

SOURCE: Parrott and Wood Funeral Service