Robert Richard Gruber, 78, of Timberwood Lane, Erie, PA and formerly of Jamestown, NY passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at Presque Isle Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Erie, PA/

Robert was born June 17, 1934, in Russell, PA, the son of the late John O. and Marie E. Jones Gruber. He was a graduate of Sugar Grove High School and had attended the Woodrow Wilson Technical School in Fisherville, Virginia.  He was a self employed watch maker and later worked for seven years on the assembly line at Cummings Engine in Lakewood, NY from which he retired on July 1, 1999.

He is survived by his wife Ruth L. Tanner Gruber, whom he married on July 4, 1954; a son, Darrell A. Gruber and his wife Susan, Ashville, NY; a daughter, Kimberly McChesney and her husband David, Valpraso, IN; three brothers, Theodore Benjamin Gruber, Mayville, NY, Ralph W. Gruber and his wife Kathy, Ashville, NY., and Ray A. Gruber and his wife Donna, Allegheny, NY.; a sister, Betty Chase, Sugar Grove; four grandchildren, Jeremy Gruber, Tawn Bensink, Matt and Nathan McChesney; two great grandchildren, Thandon and Tatum Bensink; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John E. Gruber, a sister, Gladys Gruber and an infant sister, Hazel Gruber.

Friends will be received at the Peterson - Blick Funeral Home, Inc., 1003 Penn Ave., E., Warren, PA, on Thursday July 26, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. and for one hour prior to a funeral service to be held there at 11:00 am., on Friday, July 27, with Rev. Allan Jones, pastor, Cable Hollow Community Church, officiating.

Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army, 311 Beech Street, Warren, PA. 16365.