March 23, 1932 – May 15, 2025

With great sadness the family of Dennis L. Gruntorad announces his passing.

Born in Ulysses, NE, Dennis was fascinated by the world of flight . His parents, Emil and Tillie, took him outside to “See the plane” which ignited a flame which lasted a lifetime.

After graduating from Ulysses High in 1948, Dennis headed for bigger things, moving to Lincoln, NE to work for Elgin Watch Company. One evening he and friends decided to join the Navy Reserve and become pilots. After enlistment he discovered flying required a college degree. Dennis discovered that the Air Force had no requirement and had a cadet training program. The Navy approved his transfer to the Air Force if accepted into the cadet program. In 1954 he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was assigned to McClellan Air Force Base, Sacramento. Dennis’ job was flying early warning radar planes. The assignment consisted of 20 hours of flight every other day. HE LOVED IT!!

In 1958, he was reassigned to Evereux, France. This entailed flying C130’s on training and rescue missions.

He retold the story of a training flight to the desert where his plane lost glow plugs on two engines. Then a Somali national approached, in a gunshot riddled jeep, informing them Somali troops were inbound with orders to capture, kill the crew, and burn the plane. Realizing the severity of the situation he was able to take off on two engines, saving the plane and crew. Another incident involved using a broom handle to pump the landing gear so they could land.

In 1960, when President Eisenhower went on his world tour, Dennis was the assigned pilot to transport Secret Service, guards, and the Presidential limo.

Dennis said his Air Force career afforded him unbelievable experiences. Allowing him opportunities to tour historic places, like the Vatican and Taj Mahal.

Three tours flying in Vietnam with Air Weather Service followed. He bought land on Banner Mountain in Nevada City in 1972, and in 1973, after 22 years of active service Dennis retired, moving to Grass Valley. In 1976, he married Pat Dickson-Gregory, a retiring Air Force nurse. Together they studied building and built their dream home. They enjoyed over 48 years of retirement, traveling often and exploring new sites throughout North America.

He fell asleep at last with his family surrounding him. He is survived by his wife, Pat; and many nieces and nephews.