Obituary: Otto Theodore Grutzmacher Jr.

Otto Theodore Grutzmacher Jr.

Otto Theodore Grutzmacher Jr.

Otto Theodore Grutzmacher Jr., passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Oct. 18, 2016, in Prescott, Arizona. “Ted” was born on Feb. 18, 1927, to Otto (Jerry) and Edna (Hoyns) in the Bronx, New York. He spent his childhood in the family bakery located beside the elevated subway that co-existed with trolley cars, trucks, and horses and wagons.

Ted attended Concordia Prep high school in Bronxville, New York, where he served as the sergeant of arms and field work chairman. He was drafted by the Army in July 1945. He served in the 913th Field Artillery, Headquarters Company, which was part of the 88th Infantry Division. He graduated from New York University in 1951 with a bachelor of science degree in Finance and Accounting. He worked for the IBM corporation for 30 years, in positions in finance, information systems, and management.

Ted met Doris Marie Schneider in church in 1947 and they married in August of 1949. They were happily married and had four children: Paula, Gail, Janet, and Karl. For most of their married lives they lived in New City, New York. The family experienced many exciting vacations and adventures, including camping trips along the East coast and trips to Hawaii and Barbados.

Ted and Doris retired to Prescott, Arizona, in 1992, joining daughters Paula and Gail, but Ted remained a lifelong Giants and Yankees fan. Ted took care of Doris for over 20 years after she became ill with Parkinson’s disease, and his care for her was an inspiration to all. Doris passed away in 1998.

In April of 2000, Ted married Joan Curran Fuhst, one of his former IBM co-workers who had also retired to Prescott. They enjoyed travels in the U.S., Germany, and Italy and had a very happy life together until Joan passed away in 2006.

Ted is survived by daughter Paula Fuhst, son-in-law Clifford, and granddaughter Jennifer Simpson; daughter Gail Spivey, son-in-law Tim, and grandsons Josh Theodore and Tyler; daughter Janet Ochs, son-in-law Scott, and grandsons Matthew and John from Cortland, New York; and son Karl Andrew Grutzmacher and daughter-in-law Laura, and granddaughters Dana and Jenna, from Yorktown Heights, New York.

Ted was a lifelong Lutheran and his faith was of utmost importance to him. He served on church councils while living in New York and was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Prescott. He enjoyed volunteering with Prescott People Who Care. The last few years of his life he lived with wonderful friends at the apartments at Prescott Samaritan Village.

He looked forward to eternal life by being justified through faith in Jesus Christ, his Savior and Redeemer. Ted will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was greatly loved and will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, at Heritage Memory Mortuary, 131 Grove Ave., Prescott. The Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at the American Lutheran Church, 1085 Scott Drive, Prescott. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lutheran Church.

Please visit www.heritagemortuary.com to sign Ted’s online guest book. Services entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary.

Information provided by survivors.


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