Dick Dewayne Grube

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dick D. Grube, 77, of Columbus, GA died Monday, March 29, 2010 at his home with his wife and daughters at his side. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2100 Hilton Avenue, Columbus, GA. Honorary pallbearers will be the Friday Friars. Those wishing to share stories of how Dick touched their lives may speak at the service. There will be a reception following the service in the parish hall. Dick was a member of St. Thomas and faithfully served as a lay reader, chalice bearer, member of the Vestry and Senior Warden. He designed and will be interred in their Columbarium. Born in Punxsutawney, PA on February 9, 1933, Dick was the only child of the late Everett Norman Grube, Jr. and Margaret Florence Van Kuren Grube Smith. He was a graduate of the class of 1951 from Punxsutawney High School where he served as representative for the Margaret Cabell Boles charity fund. Dick was a proud ambassador for Punxsutawney Phil, hosting parties everywhere he lived honoring the hometown prognosticator. Dick always said that he had only two employers, J.C. Penney's and Uncle Sam. He was the assistant manager at J.C. Penney's before his induction into the U.S. Army in 1952. Following Infantry training at Indianatown Gap in Pennsylvania, he was selected for Officers Training and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers. As an Army Aviator, in both fixed wing and helicopter, he served in Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Peru, Columbia and the United States. He served in the 7th Infantry Div. in Korea, where he was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation medal. Following duty in Columbia, Peru and Panama he was awarded the Legion of Merit. In Vietnam, he commanded the Headquarter Cavalry troop, 1/9 Cavalry Squadron and was awarded the Air medal and Bronze Star. Other decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations and awards that Dick has received throughout his career include National Defense Service Medal with Oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2d award), Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Medal with Three Bronze Stars, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Army Aviator Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Presidential Unit citation, three overseas service bars, Meritorious service medal. While stationed at Fort Rucker, AL he received his Bachelor's degree from Troy State University. Upon completion of 21 years of service, he retired from active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel. He remained in Columbus, GA and went to work as the Director of the National Infantry Museum. He was instrumental in its relocation to the original Martin Army Hospital building. Dick never wanted the museum to glorify war but to honor the soldier and to remind the public that the soldier was a human being. His wife, Deanna, says that the museum was his greatest love and that she was his second. In 2006, Grube was awarded the medal of St. Maurice for his distinguished contribution to and loyal service of the Infantryman. Dick Grube has been an active participant in the Columbus community. He had a lifelong interest in antiques, history and preservation. He has served on the board of the Historic Chattahoochee Commission, the Columbus Symphony, Columbus Arts Council, Westville, and the Historic Columbus Commission where he served as chairman. He was a member of Friday Friars, Executive Club, Golden Boys Investment Club, The Chattahoochee River Club, MOAA and MOWW. He is a 32nd degree Mason. He is survived by his wife of fifty one years, Deanna Almina Cook Grube; daughters and sons-in-law: Betsy and Steve Cullinan of Chester Springs, PA, Pegi and Mike Taylor of Columbus, and Jennifer and Rick Brown of Columbus. Dick loved his grandchildren, Kathryn Deanna Cullinan Moore, wife of Christopher Moore of Athens, GA, Steve Cullinan, Jr. and Kevin Cullinan of Chester Springs, PA, Meredith Taylor, Elizabeth Brown and Andrew Brown of Columbus. The family would like to thank the nurses and technicians at St. Francis Hospital, Martin Army Hospital, VA Hospital in Tuskegee (especially Patricia Bryant), DaVita (especially Vickie Taylor), Care South and Vista Care (especially Jim Hildebrand) for the wonderful care provided. They would also like to thank Dr. Brian Ribeiro, Dr. Tamorie Smith, Dr. Denise Capel, Dr. William Macheski, and Dr. Ferdinand Alcaide for their care and attention. Special thanks to Finley and Heidi Williamson, Fr. Doug Hahn and our St. Thomas family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church or Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 5811, Columbus, GA 31906.