Joel Grobtuch ’78

Joel Grobtuch was killed in a car collision in Ulster County, N.Y., July 30, 1995. He and his wife, Janice Isaac, were struck while taking a weekend drive. Janice was six months pregnant with their eagerly anticipated first child. Joel never regained consciousness and died soon after. Janice sustained injuries, but is recovering. Their unborn daughter, Kyra Rebecca, died later that day. She was buried in Joel's arms.

Joel attended Midwood H.S. in Brooklyn. At Princeton he majored in politics, was a member of Terrace Club, and a Big Brother. He was involved in campus political movements. Joel graduated from NYU Law School in 1981. He clerked in San Francisco before returning to NYC. He worked at the NYC Dept. of Law for nine years. Joel and Janice married in 1989. In 1992, Joel began a solo litigation practice in NYC.

Gentle in nature and humble in demeanor, Joel was a warm, open, thoughtful man with an easygoing manner, excellent sense of humor, and great depth of personality. Even those who knew him briefly were struck by his kindness, generosity, and integrity. He was concerned about ethical issues in all aspects of life, and particularly in his practice of law.

Joel's death came at a time when his dreams were being realized both personally and professionally. He was a warm and loving husband, father-to-be, son and son-in-law, brother and brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. He is deeply, deeply missed.

The Class of 1978