Remembering
Joe Gruber
“I was very blessed to have known
Joe for nearly 20 years. He was
one of the most dedicated,
reliable and knowledgeable individuals I
worked with throughout my career, with
a work ethic that was unmatched during
his time.
He left a legacy of positive experiences
for anyone who took the time to know
him – which wasn’t a hard thing to do. He
had a passion for the industry he spent
many years perfecting and improving.
His hard work led him to become a great
leader with the innate ability to navigate
through difficult issues and take on the
most challenging of responsibilities with
finesse and dignity.
Joe was a teacher of all things. His method
was simple: he taught by example. Joe
never let anyone down – he fulfilled every
obligation he ever undertook.
Joe was self-made and self-reliant. He
relished the good things in life, including
#GruberStrong
motorcycles, guns, golf, friendships and,
most importantly, his family.
Joe loved his job and was willing to
do the hard work it took every single day
to be successful in such an unpredictable
and demanding business. Being humble
helped him to be known as someone who
acted nobly, even while others did not. His
humanity extended to his family, friends
and anyone else who knew him. Everyone
liked him, he was easy to know – an open
book. Joe embodied the phrase, ‘People
don’t care how much you know until they
know how much you care.’
Joe was known for mentoring others in
the career he loved; he was the ‘go to’ person
for difficult situations, or any situation,
for that matter. If you had a problem with
equipment or an installation method, Joe
was the man. If he didn’t have the answer
immediately, he would be sure to get it.
It seems trite to say that Joe will be
missed, or that he went away too soon. But
it’s true. The bottom line is that he was a
great man who had a very bright future.
I have a heartfelt thanks for what I have
learnt from such a great man. His tangible
presence in my life has undoubtedly made
me a better person. I often ask myself in difficult
situations, “What would Joe do?”
He always looked to grow; to better himself
as a person and an expert in the trade
he loved so much. He was always inclined
to share his extensive wisdom and personal
experiences with anyone, any time. He was
as selfless as he was determined and left his
mark on so many people.”
– Brent Burman, Vice
President, Goettle
“After 21 years, Joe was like a
son to me. I will miss him
every day of my life.”
– Michael Dyer, Vice
President, Goettle
“August 15, 2019 was the
first workday to follow
your passing…
Pulling into the parking lot, to a flag
standing at half-mast. Flowers fastened to
the fence, in your empty parking spot. The
empty expressions on everybody’s faces,
and the lingering silence, followed by the
numerous murmurs of ‘I can’t believe he is
really gone.’
Emotions finally got the best of me when
I took that first call asking to speak to you. I
suppose it’s expected with any great loss to
feel such sadness.
Joe dedicated his entire career to sharing
his knowledge and keeping equipment running
at peak capacity. For months, Joe took
lead on the design and specifications for
what was soon to be our newest and largest
Bauer rig. Unfortunately, Joe never got
to see this dream brought to life. Our biggest
rig, combined with Joe’s “get-shit-done”
personality, the BG 45 couldn’t go without a
name. As a tribute to our friend Joe, written
in bold white letters along with Joe’s signature
from the BG 45 purchase order, the
‘MIGHTY JOE’ was born.”
– Karla Herth, Administrative
Assistant, Goettle t
Valery Bond/123rf
116 | ISSUE 1 2020 www.piledrivers.org