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Robert Phillips Gruber died peacefully in his bed at 6:30 a.m. on August 1, 2026, with his caregiver at his side.
He was the son of Ruth Harris Gruber and Paul Gruber, both deceased. Born in the Bronx, New York, Robert moved to Raleigh at age four and lived there, except for seven years at Chapel Hill, for the rest of his life. He was a 1961 graduate of Broughton High School, and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill in 1965 and his law degree from UNC Law School in 1968.
Robert was a devoted husband to his loving wife and best friend, Glenda Bowers Gruber. They met at Broughton High School — Glenda a junior, Robert a senior — and fell into a romance that lasted more than six decades. They eloped in August 1963 and were formally married in 1964.
Robert is survived by Glenda; his two children, Phil Gruber and Lee Boud (m. Doug Boud); his grandchildren, Max and Sierra Gruber and Sebastian Clark (m. Karuna Das); his sister, Phyllis Gruber Adams, and her husband, Dr. William “Bill” Adams; his nephews, Brian Hill (m Susan), Hunter Adams, Eva Gruber and Stefan Gruber (m Sarah Deropp); and his brother, Carl Gruber. His younger brother, Melvin, passed in 1999. He also has brother in laws Wilson Bowers and Scott Bowers, nieces Kerry Bowers, Lee O’Rourke, and Robin Hicks (m Brian), nephews Glenn Bowers & Michael Bowers.
The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to Robert's primary caregiver, Tammy Cox, for all she did for him and for their family, and to her team — Keekee Cox, Jessica Marlowe, and Naie Wilson— for their devoted care. Thanks also to Dr. Michael Rhees and his team at Raleigh Adult Medicine and to William Ferrell and his team at Raleigh Neurology.
Robert was an accomplished attorney and business leader. He was appointed Executive Director of the North Carolina Public Staff of the Utilities Commission by Governor Jim Hunt and was reappointed by successive governors, both Republican and Democrat, over more than 30 years. He earned wide respect as a firm public advocate who was both practical and solutions-oriented. After retiring, he was asked by the Governor to come out of retirement to help manage Duke Energy's acquisition of Progress Energy. Robert was awarded the Order of Long Leaf Pine by Governor Pat McCrory in June 2013.
Robert led a balanced life centered on family, golf, charity work, Carolina basketball and his dogs. He served as Board Chair of the Wake County SPCA, was a hospice/ transitions volunteer, and volunteered for Guardian ad Litem.
In his 30s, Robert ran a marathon and was a strong club-level tennis player before discovering his lifelong passion: golf. He was known for always hitting the ball straight down the fairway. His other great passion was UNC Chapel Hill basketball — his last conversation with his son, Phil and granddaughter Sierra, was about the upcoming UNC basketball season.
Robert will be remembered for his valiant fight against Lewy Body Dementia and for how strong his cognitive skills remained until his last day. He recognized everyone he met, loved discussing history, and closely followed the news. He had a constant stream of friends and family and loved engaging in conversation. As long as there was a sport on television, or a movie to watch with his wife and grandchildren, he was happy. Robert never complained about his diagnosis or its effects on his body — he faced it with stoicism, positivity, and toughness.
Robert was very rich in family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC. The family will receive immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Wake County SPCA, your favorite pet shelter or Transitions of Wake County. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/robert-gruber-12989201
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Neal Jackson
To me Robert was beyond extraordinary.... He was my roommate for two years at Chapel Hill and destined to be a dear friend for years. He was my best man at my first wedding and even met my current wife (then a national advocate for consumers) a decade or more before I did! I was one of the very few who knew of his secret marriage to Glenda.
I last spoke with him when he telephoned me earlier this year, but one hardly knew he was afflicted - his warm, positive personality showed through, overwhelming any mental barriers.
As his obit says, he was a friend to damn near everybody in Raleigh, walking a political tightrope between Ds and Rs and consumers and corporate interests, but never on basketball (it was 'Heels all the way!).
Although I rarely was in touch with him directy in the last decades, I thought of him often, and heard of his activities through mutual Raleigh friends whom I worked with. All praised him for his professional accomplishments, and for his golf game...
RIP, Robert. You left the world a better place for your many efforts.....
Charles Styron
As was the case for many of his friends in High School and perhaps afterwards, Robert was always "Gruber" to me. I imagine I saw him briefly at various Reunions over the years--I can't accurately recall--but the last time that we met I do remember. It was at Rick Suberman's Memorial Service at Rick and Karen's farm in Chapel Hill on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2021. I remember standing with Robert and Rosemary Hoffmann and Billy Marshall during the commemorative part of the gathering in the late afternoon. Rosemary had mentioned to me earlier that "Gruber" was there, and when we finally approached each other, I addressed him, of course, as "Gruber." We chatted a good bit and remembered particularly one of the times when we were closest. It was during Junior High when we both often went in the afternoon after school to the Y on N. Wilmington St., just across E. Edenton St. from The Capitol. Ray Kees was often there with us among a few others, and we always played basketball and received coaching tips at times from Jimmy Goldston (who later fell into disrepute). I remember vividly to this day Robert's exploits in the weight room. Oh Man, was he strong, and he had a chest the size of a whiskey barrel! I couldn't come close to doing what he did, but he inspired me to do some weight training of my own in subsequent years. Robert was very smart and hard working, too, but he was modest about it as he was about everything, and this remarkable quality is probably one of the many things that led to his phenomenal success in later life.
Hail Robert Gruber Hail.
William E (Billy). Marshall
Starting in the seventh grade Robert and I were in lock step as close as any two friends could be. The friendship and brotherhood carried unbroken through Daniels junior high, Broughton, college, law school and throughout our careers. He was a close friend and confidant for life.
His humor, intellect and athletic ability stood out among our friends and also led to many "Gruber" stories which many of us will never forget. In 1966 he was an usher at my wedding along with Nick Young, Rick Suberman Robert Bashford and Jim Goodmon...Only Jim is still with us.
Robert's obituary details many of his achievements and his success in life and there's so much more he contributed. Two weeks before Robert's death I visited him at his assisted living residence. We had a great conversation about personal events as well as current events and shared memories. When I left I was confident that he would live for months, maybe even years because his mind was so sharp and he was in such good spirits. I planned a return visit but I was too late and for that I have regrets but I am blessed with the many connections and joy he brought to me and to everyone whose life he touched.
RIP MY BROTHER IN LIFE