Family and officials are remembering a longtime board member of the Lake Bluff Park District who died recently for his many contributions to the community.
Kurt Gronau, who officials say was the longest tenured park district commissioner, serving the board from 1997 to 2017, died May 28 at the age of 71 following a colon cancer diagnosis.
“He was like Mr. Lake Bluff,” said Executive Director Ron Salski. “He was jovial, friendly and said hi to everyone, and he believed in great customer service.”
Gronau, who had lived in Lake Bluff since the 1970s, also served as board president at different times during his 20 years on the park district board.
Reflecting on their times together, Salski recalled how Gronau helped him get into his new job after being hired in April 2008.
“He smiled. He was friendly. He wanted to get to know my family. He wanted me to help me understand the community, so he loved talking about the community,” Salski said. “He was so personable.”
Salski said Gronau was influential in the construction of a park district recreational center, a driving range at the Lake Bluff Golf Club and extensive repairs to the golf club’s irrigation system and the park district’s pool.
Those accomplishments were the result of Gronau’s determination, he said.
“His leadership and advocating and explaining why these were important to the community was very influential,” Salski said.
Born in Northbrook, Gronau graduated from Bradley University and then served a stint in the Army Reserve.
After stops in New York and California, he moved to Lake Bluff in the 1970s where he worked as an insurance broker.
After a previous marriage ended in divorce, he met his wife, Peg, setting the stage for a 36-year marriage, Peg said recently.
In 2001, Peg opened up a boutique gift store in the village named Pegann Kompany, where Kurt, who was retired at the time, used the opportunity to greet customers and introduce himself to more people in the community.
“People always joked he was the mayor of Lake Bluff,” Peg said.
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Aside from the park district, Gronau served as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest and he worked with PADS Lake County, Peg said.
He also was a big Cubs fan, liked to watch birds and was an avid golfer who played at some of the nation’s premier courses including Myrtle Beach in South Carolina and Pebble Beach in California, she said.
Aside from Peg, Gronau is survived by his daughter, Gretchen, two stepchildren, Rod and Melanie, and 11 grandchildren.
A visitation is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by a service at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church.