Alexander William Gruenberg

Alexander William Gruenberg passed away at the age of 30 years old, due to unforeseen complications during an elected surgery. Although Alex’s death came unexpectedly and far too early, he was surrounded with the abundant love of his wife and family.

Alex was born in Santa Barbara, California in 1984 to Robert and Molly Gruenberg. Alex was the oldest brother to Andrew (28), Adam (25), Danielle (22), and Jesse (20). Growing up, Alex honed his leadership skills with his younger siblings, and his interests spanned from playing the tuba to running planetarium shows at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family laughing, joking and taking the annual cabin trip to Big Sur.

Alex went on to study Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles, also serving as a Resident Assistant and student leader for several student groups. During a freshman science class, Alex met his future-wife Kristina Doan Gruenberg. The two became friends through student life, but it was not until their junior year when running for student government President and Vice President that they won each other’s hearts.

After graduating from UCLA, Alex took a position in student affairs at Syracuse University in upstate New York. Surviving one of the city’s snowiest winters, Alex was more than enthusiastic to relocate to Washington, DC to work and earn a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at George Washington University, and to be near Kristina, who was studying law at American University. While in Washington, DC, Alex was the President of the local alumni chapter of UCLA, in which he helped foster a community for Bruins across the country.

In 2011, Alex and Kristina returned to their home state of California to be near family and sunshine, and married in San Clemente, CA. Alex had the privilege of working for several years for his alma mater UCLA, with the Alumni Association and the UCLA Foundation. Alex and Kristina relocated to Orange County in 2014, where Alex took the post of a development officer at UC Irvine, and he and Kristina purchased their first home.

Alex will always be remembered for his selfless devotion to family and friends, his sense of humor, and his joyful spirit. He had a passion for higher education, loved throwing quirky themed parties, playing with his cats, and traveling around the world.

Alex was preceded in death by his grandparents Eugene and Irene, Arnold and Mary, as well as his uncle Clifford.

He is survived by his beloved wife Kristina; parents, Robert and Molly; siblings Andrew, Adam, Danielle, and Jesse; and felines Pumpkin and Angelo.

The Alex Gruenberg Memorial Scholarship at UCLA has been established in his honor. To give, please visit www.AlexanderGruenberg.com.