Haskell Gruber

Haskell "Heck" Gruber, DDS, born in New York City, New York on December 6, 1922, passed away surrounded by loving family on November 8, 2014. Nearly 92 years of age, he had been leading an amazing life, still full of plans for future adventures.

Haskell earned his undergraduate degree at City College of New York and his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at New York University, later interning at Gouverneur Hospital. He pursued additional training in Oral Surgery and Orthodontics. During World War II, Haskell served in the Army as a medical corpsman before attending Dental School. Following years of private practice in General Dentistry, he joined the United States Air Force (USAF), becoming Chief of Orthodontics in the Dental Services. While in the military, Haskell was instrumental in refining the treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate, ultimately expanding care beyond bases in Europe to the general populace of numerous countries. He earned many accolades during this period, including the Air Force Research and Development Award. Haskell was also particularly proud of his work on the hospital ship HOPE, while continuing to treat children throughout the Americas, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. After retiring from the United States Air Force as a Colonel, Haskell became Professor and Chairman of Orthodontics at Temple University in Philadelphia. He returned to Texas in 1983 as a Professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Upon retirement in 1990, he offered his services to Interplast, treating children for over twenty years in Vietnam, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Honduras. "The Haskell Gruber Clinic" in Honduras is testament to his legacy.

Haskell was a man of the world and traveled extensively through his work as well as with his wife Ann. Heck loved music, books, art, teaching and mentoring, and enjoyed sharing tales of his adventures. Heck so loved life and embraced it fully.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Anna Gruber, his first wife Rosalind Sebold Gruber, and his brother Albert Gruber.

Haskell is survived by his loving wife, Ann Eisenstein Gruber. In addition to his children, Heck considered Ann's children his own. Children include Jody Gruber, Wendy Hollander, Nelson Gruber and Alyssa Tiras, Meryl Metni, and Matthew Klein and their spouses, Maury Hollander, Manizeh Gruber, Mitchell Tiras, and Alan Metni. Beloved grandchildren include Ayelet Gruber, Alissa and Ehren Hollander, Ranya and Aryeh Gruber, Jordann and Carly Tiras, Eliana, Mia, Layla, and Ava Metni, and Gabriel, Zachary, and Jonas Klein. Haskell is also survived by his brother, Dr. Joseph Gruber.

We thank Cardiologist Dr. Robert Schnitzler for his compassionate care over the years and Victoria Paparelli, Clinical Nurse Specialist, who assisted Dr. Schnitzler in providing exemplary treatment for Haskell. Additionally, we sincerely thank all of Dr. Gruber's health professionals who maintained his health.

Heck lived a vibrant and engaged life - until the very end.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014

1:30 P.M.

BETH EL CEMETERY

NORTH PALMETTO AND CROCKETT ST.

Rabbi Elsa Koppel will officiate.