Keith Groenwald

Keith A. Groenwald, born May 24, 1948, died March 25, 2019 at Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN after a 4-1/2-year journey with esophageal cancer.Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor and Richard Groenwald, and by his daughter, Julie.He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Susan (Grosser) Groenwald; his son Peter Groenwald and wife Isaaca Byrd Groenwald; granddaughters Amelia and Goldie Groenwald; sister Laurel Rabjohns (Eric); brother Rich Groenwald (Marjorie); 16 nieces and nephews along with many close friends.Keith and Susan were lifelong residents of Chicago until moving to the Nashville area in 2018 to be close to their son and his family. Keith met his wife Susan Grosser at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL where they were later married.Keith attended York Community High School in Elmhurst, IL and Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. He has a bachelor's degree from Elmhurst College in IL, and an MBA from Northern Illinois University.Keith served in a reserve division of the Army's 12 ^th Special Forces from 1970-1976. His early career in business included Daubert Chemical Company, Gooding Rubber Company, and Exchange Parts of America. In 1981, Keith and Susan started BarterCorp, with offices in Chicago, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Northwest Indiana; the business was sold in 1999. For the past ten years, Keith has been general manager of Essential Products in Bedford Park, IL, a role that he considered a major highlight of his career and life because he was working with his best friend. He relished the many friends he made over the years in his various business roles.Keith was a raving fan of his children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was a boatsman and loved having family and friends visit the family lakehouse in New Buffalo, MI and more recently in Hendersonville, TN.A celebration of Keith's life will take place at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald's Campus in Oakbrook, IL on Sunday April 14, 2018 from 1-6pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN. You can donate securely online at Offer Condolence for the family of Keith A. Groenwald