John Adams Gronbach
June 17, 1942 - April 7, 2020

John was always motivated to make this world a better place. He valued honesty and treating people kindly. He worked beside others to listen to their ideas and pull together a plan to make every organization he joined a better place.

At a young age, John led 72 men as a Flight leader through basic training in the U.S. Air Force. He continued his Air Force career investing in others, training 64 men to become aircraft mechanics, steering the Strategic Air Command during tense times of the Cuban missile crisis, and later guiding reconnaissance aircraft flying around Cuba. He was assigned prominent positions like leading Air Force One at Bergstrom AFB when President Kennedy passed. By the end of his enlistment, John had achieved three promotions within a short four-year period.

John continued to be a catalyst for change even in the simple areas of everyday life. He had a gift for motivating people to collaborate and making our community a better place. While his children were in school, he served as the PTA President of Reilly Elementary. However, his devotion for teaching carried through his lifetime. He continued to teach student's life skills at Austin Independent School District until he retired.

John also thrived as a letter carrier with the Post Office through easily relating and connecting with others. He was elected to the Executive Board of Trustees where he served for many years in the National Association of Letter Carriers for Branch #181. John was honored as a Fifty-year Gold Card member and served as the Youth Program Chairman for Texas's Letter Carrier's Convention in Austin.

John's passions in life were many. At a young age of 12, John developed a passion for ice dancing. He was hungry to learn and determined to master the skills. Within four years, he earned the first-place title in an ice dancing competition. Later in life, his zeal for ice dancing and innovativeness led to him to become the Founding Officer and Vice President of the Austin Figure Skating Club, sanctioned by United States Figure Skating Association. John was always acting as a catalyst for change and growth, even innovating in the hobbies he enjoyed.

His passions were many... from cars, to photography, to adventures. John connected with others on a deeper level when sharing photographs with them. He always had a keen interest in cars since childhood. By the age twelve, John had designed and built a running two seat, gas driven car. He loved to make an idea turn into a reality. In John's later years, he relished his love for photography and cars with his grandson Eric. As fate would have it, Eric, was able to bring John joy by sharing with him his adventures driving exotic cars at work. These photographs connected the two of them beyond words.

John also enjoyed trips and adventures with the help of Dalia's eldest daughter, Melodie. These adventures included everything from drag racing, parachuting, ultralight flying with eldest sister (Gretel), helicopter rides in Branson and Hawaii, and water skiing on Austin lakes.

John soared through life with many accomplishments and success with his wife beside him. Dalia's support and wisdom always brought John comfort as he listened. She exemplified the importance of family and being connected together.

John is survived by his wife and her children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Trudy Stevens, his daughter Janet Gronbach, His grandson Eric Ayers and his great-grandson Wesley Ayers.

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