Memorials › Dennis Lee Gruntorad
Dennis Lee Gruntorad
23 Mar 1932 – 15 May 2025
| Birth | 23 Mar 1932 |
| Death | 15 May 2025 |
| Added by | Steven Goff on 03 Jun 2025 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/283553940 |
Bio
Dennis Lee Gruntorad March 23, 1932 – May 15, 2025 It is with great sadness that the family of Dennis L. Gruntorad announces his passing on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Following an illness complicated by Parkinson's and cardiac issues. He died as he had wished, at home and with his loving family present. Born in Ulysses, NE, March 23, 1932, Dennis was fascinated by the world of flight even as a child. His parents, Emil and Tillie, recalled taking him outside to "See the plane" which ignited in him a flame which lasted all his life. After graduating from Ulysses High School in 1948, Dennis had already decided he was headed for bigger things and moved to Lincoln, NE to work for Elgin Watch Company. One evening while in Lincoln, NE, he and his friends decided they would join the U.S. Navy Reserve and become pilots. It was only after enlistment that he discovered that to fly he was required to have a college degree. Fate rose her head though and Dennis discovered that the U.S. Air Force had no such requirement and had a cadet training program. The U.S. Navy agreed he could transfer to the U.S. Air Force if he was accepted into the cadet program, and in 1954 he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. After graduation he and his new wife, the former Shelly Reeves, were assigned to McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento. Dennis's first assignment was flying early warning radar planes. His duty assignment consisted of 20 hours of flight time every other day. HE LOVED IT!! Then in 1958, he was reassigned to Evereux, France. This assignment was much broader in scope as it entailed flying C130's on training and rescue missions such as to the Congo, when the British gave them their independence. Dennis often related the story of a training flight to the desert where his plane lost glow plugs and two engines. Shortly thereafter a Somali national approached, in a gunshot riddled jeep, informing them Somali troops were inbound with orders to capture and kill the crew then burn the plane. Realizing the severity of the situation he was able to take off on two engines, thus saving the plane and crew. Another incident involved using a broom handle to pump the landing gear in place so they could land. In 1960, when President Eisenhower set out on his world tour, Dennis was assigned as the pilot to transport Secret Service detail, guards and the Presidential limo, beginning in Europe and culminating in India, this tour became known as "eleven countries in eleven days." Dennis always said his U.S. Air Force career afforded him unbelievable experiences and allowed him the opportunity to tour historic places, such as the Vatican and Taj Mahal, but it kept him away from home a lot. Returning stateside to face an assignment with a team that mapped South America, more TDY and a new baby girl, the marriage crumbled, and the children were adopted by their new father. Then followed three tours flying in Viet Nam with Air Weather Service. He bought land on Banner Mountain in Nevada City in 1972, and in 1973, after 22 years of active service Dennis retired and moved to Grass Valley. In 1976, he married Pat Dickson-Gregory, a retiring Air Force nurse. Together they read and took classes on building and proceeded to build their dream home. Together they enjoyed over 48 years of retirement, travelling often and exploring new sites throughout the Continental United States, as well as Canada, and Mexico. He fell asleep at last, at home with his family surrounding him. He is survived by his wife, Pat; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be June 17, 2025, at St. Canice Catholic Church in Nevada City, Rosary begins at 9:45 a.m., following by a Mass at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Hooper & Weaver Mortuary.
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