I would like to wish your family my condolences and share a quick story with you.
Mr. Gruber, as I called him in High School, was my Asst Principal @ East Meadow High School in 1988.  I was in his office often those days.  I was under the impression for a long time that Mr. Gruber had it out for me.  He had me serve in school suspension a few times for cutting out of school and other things.  My senior year I failed a couple of classes and had to complete those classes in summer school to get my diploma.  On one of the first days of summer school I was late for school.  My Gruber was the principal for summer school.  He read me the riot act and gave me another chance.  He rode me the whole summer to make sure I got to school and got my work done.   I ended up completing my classes and I received my diploma.
The following fall I went back to East Meadow High School to see the Annual Home Coming Football game.  Mr. Gruber spotted me from across the football field.   I have no idea how he noticed me but he proceeded to spring across the field directly to me.  At first I thought I had done something wrong but all he wanted was to know how I was doing and was happy to know things were well.  
I have always thought of him and those acts of kindness over the years and I truly feel his acts have made me a better person.  I wish your family the best and I hope this story brought a smile to your face.  

Bartlett Todd
Class of 1988
EMHS


My condolences to the Gruber family. Mr. Gruber was not my Asst Principal he was also a friend outside of EMHS. I am sure Mr. Gruber is getting ready with Jeff for baseball season and Rangers playoff hockey!  Rest in peace Mr. Gruber you will be sorely missed. 

Ira Schwartz
East Meadow, NY

Richie and Sheila Gruber - longtime members of the Shalom Chavurah. We enjoyed Richie's sharp wit and ready smile - Sunday would have been his turn to lead the discussion, which we looked forward to hearing. Richie will be missed as a vital member of our community. Our heartfelt  love and support go out to Sheila.
Steve and Rebecca Reinstein

This is the smile I will always remember about Richard Gruber.  As a longtime member of the temple we will miss him terribly.  Richie may not be here but he will always be in our hearts.
Steve and Rebecca Reinstein

My  dear uncle Ricky was one of a kind.
On the outside he was strong, witty, and
had a mind of his own. He chose his profession and his life style  independent
of his parents  wishes to take over his
father's company.  On the inside, he was
loving, respectful, considerate and had
a heart of gold. He was Richard in English
and Barruch, in Hebrew.  Barruch is
Blessed; and that he truely was for everyone who knew him.
My uncle Ricky who spent a big part of
his student's budget to buy his little neice
a fisher price typewriter .  When he went
abroad for the first time he brought his sister and parents  tinted glass bowls from Barcellona and guarded them with
his life the entire trip.
He didn't want to spend his life dealing with imported leather; but  preferred
education. He took the gift of language
that he learned due to his personal history and used it as his profession 
and his special gift of connecting people.
Everytime I  called or he called me, l walked around smiling all day long. I will
always love and admire my dear uncle
Ricky!
May his memory be blessed and preserved!
My heartfelt sympathy to the whole Gruber/Hoffman family! Special love and
appreciation to my dear aunt Sheila for 
her endless devotion, love, wisdom and
for living a meaningful good life with my
uncle, no matter what life dealt.
God bless you!
With love from Miriam, Efraim, Nili, Yael, Ori, Meni, Naama, Tomer and the little ones.



Brian, Hilary and Family,
Melissa and I extend our deepest sympathies to you and your entire family.  I have fond memories of your dad from our youth, some 45+ years ago. 

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our great uncle Ricky. Uncle Ricky was known for his quick wit and infectious laughter, no matter the occasion, he could always find a way to bring a smile to everyone's face. His sarcastic humor and unique perspective on life are something we will always cherish and remember.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Sheila, Brian, Hillary, Jordana, Nate, and Julian, whom he loved dearly.

With heartfelt sympathy,

Jonathan, Shelley, Tamar, and Families.

I loved my Uncle Ricky very much. My earliest memories of him were when he used to babysit my sister and myself. (We, of course, were not put to bed but brought him "luck" while he played poker with his friends). In later years, he and his loving wife, Aunt Sheila, hosted my husband, Moshe, my younger daughter, Tamar, and myself when we traveled to Florida as a Bat-mitzva trip in March 2003. My daughter enjoyed going to the pool in the mornings with her great uncle almost as much as she enjoyed Orlando. In September 2009, my aunt and uncle honored us by traveling to Israel to attend our older daughter, Shelley's wedding. And my last memory - I visited my aunt and uncle in 2017, a year after I lost my dear husband. I found love, comfort, and some humor. I will always cherish my memories of my favorite uncle.

Our deepest sympathies to the Gruber and Hoffman families from Lisa and Bruce. We are so sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry about your loss. Richard was a beautiful man who was so caring and friendly. It was an honor to have him as a neighbor. He was a man who I respected very much. If there is anyway that I can comfort the Gruber family please let me know. I love all of you and May  your loved one be your guardian angel ❤️ Cindy

OBITUARY

Richard Gruber

May 1, 1934 – April 5, 2023

Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Chapel

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