Robert Dauby Gries

Robert Dauby Gries, 94, loving and beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle; passionate philanthropist, venture capitalist pioneer, extreme adventurer, author, speaker, mentor, loyal Browns fan, and devoted civic and Jewish community leader passed away peacefully in Cleveland on October 27, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 51 years, Sally (nee Proudfoot), children Bob, Jr. (Price), Peggy Gries Wager (Michael- deceased), Donald S. Gries (Lynn-Ann); nephew David G. Cole (Jamie) and niece Carolyn Cole; grandchildren Jacob Gries, Annie Gries, Susie Wager, Carrie Wager, Zoë Gries, Lauren Cole, Lizzy Cole; nephews Eric Arnold, Jon Arnold and niece Jane Arnold. He was predeceased by his sisters, Betty G. Dorn, Ellen G. Cole and brother Thomas H. Gries.

Bob was born in Cleveland on May 15, 1929, the cherished son of Lucile D. and Robert H. Gries, and grandson of Frances and Rabbi Moses Gries, and Bessie and Nathan Dauby. He was a fifth-generation descendant of Cleveland’s first Jewish settler, Simson Thorman, who settled in Cleveland in 1837. He continued the family legacy of philanthropy and civic duty by serving on over 40 non-profit boards including The Cleveland Foundation, University Hospitals, The Diversity Center, Ideastream, Vocational Guidance Services, LAND Studio, John Carroll University, the Cleveland Playhouse, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, the Maltz Museum and the national board of the American Jewish Committee. He was the Treasurer of Mayor Carl Stokes first mayoral campaign. Always a passionate advocate of equity in education, he was co-chair of the successful Cleveland Municipal School District’s $300 million bond issue campaign in 2000 to upgrade school facilities. Bob and Sally established the Gries Family Award at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland to honor Jewish leaders who have demonstrated high impact leadership in both the Jewish and general communities.

His lifetime dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and the betterment of Clevelanders was recognized by the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio in 2001 when Bob received their Humanitarian Award and in 2019 when he was a recipient of the Cleveland Heritage Award. Bob always said that his heroes were people with disabilities who overcame enormous challenges every day to lead successful lives. His life’s mission was centered on giving back to others less fortunate and was anchored on the philosopher Hillel’s wisdom “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And, if not now, when?”

Bob, along with his family, had been original investors in the Cleveland Browns and their predecessor, the Cleveland Rams. He was a significant minority owner and board member of the Cleveland Browns until Art Modell surprised him with the announced move to Baltimore. Bob believed the Browns were an important Cleveland asset and was strongly opposed to the move, so he sold out the family interest in 1996 in opposition to the move, ending a 50-year involvement with the NFL. He remained an ardent Browns fan throughout his life.

Bob began his career at The May Company, becoming the manager of the first suburban department store in Cleveland. A pioneer in the venture capital field, he founded the first SBIC in Cleveland in 1964, the Gries Investment Company, which he led for over 30 years. As if high risk investing wasn’t enough of a challenge, he started running at age 50, enabled by newly invented inhalers for asthmatics and Motrin to manage back pain. He went from running 10ks to endurance races of 100+miles over mountains and deserts, biking events that were 1,000 miles long and climbing mountains that exceeded 20,000 feet. At age 65, he was the oldest person to summit the tallest mountains in both the Arctic and Antarctica. In his nineties, he cut back his workouts to only two hours a day. Bob lived life to the fullest. He wrote a book called Aging with Attitude which highlighted some of his 100+ adventures and the importance of a daily workout regimen. After reading this book, people told him they were inspired while others said they had to take a nap! He wrote another book called Five Generations which recounted stories of his family’s love and dedication to Cleveland over five generations. His was a life well-lived and, most of all, he treasured his family and friends.

Bob was a graduate of Hawken School, Taft School and Yale University.

Bob’s family deeply appreciates and gives heartfelt thanks to his doctors, nurses, caregivers and the Hospice of the Western Reserve for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Hawken School, Vocational Guidance Services, University Hospitals of Cleveland, the Cleveland Foundation, American Jewish Committee/Cleveland Chapter or a charity of your choice.There will be a celebration of his life on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6 at 3 PM at the Maltz Performing Arts Center, 1855 Ansel Rd. Cleveland, Ohio 44106

Friends who are unable to attend the service may view it by joining livestream: https://case.edu/maltzcenter/livestream-silver-hall/memorium-robert-gries-livestream

Interment will be private.

Family requests no visitation at the residence.