Dr. James Robert Grace DVM

Dr. James Robert (Dr Bob) Grace passed away suddenly, but peacefully in his KY home on Friday, April 7th. Dr. Bob was 93 at his passing, having recently celebrated his birthday with family and friends ‘Up on the Hill’.

Born in Louisville, KY, Bob was the son of Irish and German immigrants. Bob and his sister, Mary Louise, were raised in Schnitzelburg, KY mother Mary Agnes Gruber and father, James Thomas Grace. His maternal Grandfather, Andrew Gruber, was a saddle maker who worked at Belknap Manufacturing. Bob’s father, ‘Jimmy’ Grace owned a neighborhood grocery where Bob was an active employee, working at the store and learning the skills of the trade. Bob was also an avid Boy Scout throughout his early years.

An accomplished athlete, Bob was part of the Schnitzelburg “Bloodhounds” football club in his youth where he forged friendships that would last a lifetime, creating the PARFAB Club for retired Bloodhounds. Originally located along the banks of the Ohio in Sun Valley, the PARFAB later moved to West Point KY, where his children still gather for family and social events.

Bob attended St Elizabeth grade school, graduated from St Xavier High School in 1948, and attended both the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. Bob also served in the Army at Fort Knox and was well-known for his ability to lead, play football and cook. During his stint at Fort Knox, Bob’s father, Jimmy, passed away, and Bob returned to Schnitzelburg to help with the family business and care for his mother and sister.

Bob was proud of the fact that he briefly played football with the legendary Johnny Unitas during his tenure at U of L. Upon transferring to the University of Kentucky to further pursue his education, Bob experienced two things that would impact the rest of his life: He chose veterinary medicine over architecture, and he met the beautiful Dianne Elizabeth Dorsel, who was also at the University of Kentucky completing her nursing degree.

Bob and Dianne quickly committed to each other, but Dianne’s nursing and Bob’s pursuit of a veterinary degree at Auburn University kept the relationship ‘long distance’ for a brief time. In the summer of 1956 Bob bought their first home – a 41 foot “Magnolia” house trailer, and on September 1st, 1956 Bob and Dianne were married in her hometown of Highland Heights, KY. It must have been quite the celebration because Dianne’s mother later lamented that, “Your wedding dress cost $18.50 to clean”.

Upon graduating from Auburn in 1959, Bob and Dianne, along with daughter Mary Angela and son James Thomas (Jimmy), moved back to Louisville, KY. The birth of Mary and Jimmy were quickly followed by five more additions.

With a $500 loan from his Uncle Charlie, Bob worked hard to establish his first clinic on Crittenden Drive and later Audubon Animal Hospital and Cherokee Animal Clinic. Work and play often co-mingled in the Grace family with all of the children working at, or supporting the inner-workings of the animal clinics.

Having finally saved enough money to purchase a farm on Mitchell Hill, south of Louisville, Bob moved his family to ‘The Hill’ in 1964 where it would serve as the family home for the next 35 years. In 2000 Bob and Dianne purchased a Florida home in Indian Pass, Florida. Initially to serve as a beach house get-

away, the Indian Pass location swiftly became a permanent home for Bob and Dianne until just recently, when failing health forced Bob to move back to his KY home.

Bob's accomplishments were remarkable in many ways. Along with founding multiple businesses as a veterinarian, Bob pursued limitless hobbies and endeavors, including architecture, carpentry, wine-making, bee-keeping, rock and stone masonry, home-building, farming, real estate and scuba-diving.

Those who knew Bob, recognized his incredible work ethic, sense of humor, intelligence and true zest for life. Bob maintained 3 principles that formed the basis of his many accomplishments: ‘Go Big or Go Home’, ‘My way or the highway’, and ‘You can do anything you put your mind to’.

Bob loved socializing and enjoyed the many parties, weddings and celebrations that often united him with his family and friends. He is known for his love of nature, animals and the great outdoors, his never-ending projects and his passion to never quit learning.

Bob was preceded in death by his sister Mary Lou and wife Dianne. He leaves behind a legacy that includes seven children: Mary Angela (Jack), Dr. Jim (Susan), Tom (Susan), Peggy (Glen), Aimee (Steve), Juliette (Jimmy) and Jennifer (Ken), twenty-four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Both Bob and Dianne were avid supporters of nature. In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial gifts to the Florida Wildlife Federation, PO Box 6870, Tallassee, FL, 32314.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 28th 10:00am at St Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Schnitzelburg, 1020 East Burnett Ave.