Former Los Altos mayor and consummate volunteer Robert Grimm died Saturday. The retired Hewlett-Packard Co. executive quietly volunteered over many decades and in many ways, inside Los Altos and out.
We’ll be adding stories here throughout the week and beyond.
Bob Grimm was a pillar of the City of Los Altos. Wherever there is a positive project, we all knew that Bob Grimm had a hand in it! Those of us who shared his vision for the History House and ultimate Museum must thank the Grimms, Marion and Bob, for their generosity and never ending devotion to the Los Altos community. He was a gentleman, a scholar and true friend to all who knew and worked with him. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
– Marge and Roger Anderson
All ball machines rolling at 1/2 speed today…
To mourn the loss of a great man, benefactor of ball machines and many other brilliant feats of engineering, co-founder of The Tech Challenge, builder of 25+ challenge test rigs, true believer in people and the collaborative design process.
Many great memories of Bob, leading The Tech design team in his own quiet and powerful way. He’d sit back, watching us engage in the design process, in all its passion, positive momentum, doubt, challenge, and conflict. Trusting in the people and the process, knowing from a place down deep that it will all come together into a brilliant, innovative solution. Always contributing just what was needed to remind us of that.
Bob showed me what it was to truly lead, and helped all of us believe in ourselves, our design challenge partners, the design process, and in the great powers of the ball machine.
I’ll go spend some time at the ball machine to pay my respects to Bob.
With love & momentum,
– Bridget
I met Bob while working on various exhibitions at the Los Altos History Museum. He was such a kind, clever and generous man. Recently, I wanted a story on the history of the History Museum for the Museum Newsletter. Of course I turned to Bob for information. He told me some things and then gave me a list of articles and said, “Do a little research and you might find the answer.” He was right, and by doing it myself it was more satisfying, as I’m sure he expected all along. Thank you, Bob. We miss you.
– Gary Hedden
Seven years ago, when I first learned that I would be traveling to a giant screen film conference with a member of the Board of Directors, I shivered in my new manager boots. I imagined it being like the start of a week long parent/teacher conference. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Bob was modest, gentle, unassuming, and geniunely interested in my life *outside* of The Tech as much as he was in my plans for the future of the theater that he took so much pride in. While I know he was deeply involved in so many other non-profits, when he was with you, it felt like his only focus was on what you were working on together.
I will miss the stories, his laugh, his soft spoken guidence. I will remember every museum we toured together during film conferences, all the science contraptions we played with and every story he told along the way. What a wonderful gift he’s left us all with – the memories of special times with an extra special man.
My sincere condolences to his family, his friends, and our entire collective community.
– Michelle Duncan
Manager, Theater Operations
The Tech Museum of Innovation
Bob Grimm loved life and loved adventures. Among his many great attributes was his sense of humor. At a time when Palo Alto was considering what to do with “el Palo Alto” tree, Bob offered to buy it to care for it. I cannot list the descriptors of his character but if everyone in the world shared them there would be no conflict, no racism, no corruption, no wars. The community is poorer for our loss. He is irreplaceable.
– Roy Lave
I have known Bob since 1976 and served along side him on the City Council from 1980 – 84 learning many life lessons from him. Lessons such as, always do your homework, get your facts together, have a plan, and the skills of running a meeting.
Bob was always dedicated to causes far bigger than just himself. He loved helping others and generously gave his time to the community. In honoring his life, we all should reflect on his legacy of selflessness as we each go on in our own lives. He will be missed more than anyone can realize.
– Jane Reed
Bob was very supportive of the school district. And at the same time had the best interests of the community as a whole at heart. He campaigned for all of our tax measures–several parcel tax campaigns, starting with the first one in 1989, and two bond measures–the recent Measure N one and Measure H (back in 1998). He volunteered countless hours as treasurer of the various campaign committees–going back to 1989.
I just met with Bob a few weeks ago. He wanted to share with me his thoughts on how best to run our bond program, as he was very involved in the high school’s successful bond program. He had recommended to the high school administration that they form a construction oversight committee–to oversee the spending of bond proceeds, the running of the program, the approval of change orders and budget adjustments to the program, and to advise the board on issues as they arise. Bob not only helped get their committee started but also served on it for a number of years—through the end of the program.
Based on his suggestions I recommended to our board that we form a similar committee and they approved that recommendation at their last meeting. Bob also pointed me to some influential people in the community who have knowledge of and experience with large scale construction projects.
Bob was always very gracious in offering advice without expecting you to necessarily do everything he suggested. I have come to think of him as one of the true treasures of Los Altos—an inspiring and dedicated community member. This community will sorely miss him.
– Randy Kenyon
Bob was DCP’s first Board President and the patron saint of the organization. Every year, a graduating senior is given the Bob Grimm Award and Scholarship for service to others. It was Bob’s style to support DCP’s mission without drawing attention to himself. He loved connecting the organizations he supported; this is why, over the years, so many DCP students have enjoyed internships at The Tech. Bob built bridges. His “no excuses” perspective began with his personal commitment to make a difference wherever he could.
Bob delighted in seeing our students succeed. He believed EVERY student could achieve and make meaningful contributions to the world. He remembered our students names and addressed them with a handshake.
Bob didn’t expect perfection but he held me, and other leaders whom he supported, to high standards. Bob understood Growth Mindset long before Carol Dweck’s book. He lived as if everyday he had something to learn.
– Jennifer Andaluz
He and his wife Marion lived a block away from my family home and were great neighbors. Together, they helped preserve Los Altos History. What a wonderful legacy.
– Robin Chapman
My first “real job” was with Hewlett-Packard as a summer internship in 1974. I reported to Dave Cochran at the Deer Creek facility. It was a pretty big deal as Advanced Products Division (APD) was developing a custom non-volatile memory for the HP-25C (and ill-fated HP-91A) and on one long summer day, a number of engineers (including myself) wound up at Bob’s house to swim. He was so far up the organization chart from me and I did not know him personally, yet he extended kindness to everyone. It was what I came to expect from HP leadership and yet another reason I wanted to work there after I graduated from college. Bob was a person who just performed those simple, random acts of kindness – and it really meant a lot to a newb to be included with the “regular folks”.
– John van Santen
