Robert Gregovich Memorial

Longtime Juneau resident Robert "Bob" P. Gregovich died peacefully March 7, 2008, surrounded by his family at the Juneau Pioneers' Home. He died from complications of multiple sclerosis. He was 74 years old.

He was born "at a very early age," as he would say, on Dec. 24, 1933, in San Diego, to Ruby and Rade Gregovich. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his Bachelor of Economics.

After serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to his studies, completing his Master of Psychology at San Diego State, followed by his doctorate in social psychology at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

During his graduate studies in Eugene, he met and married Inga Andersen, of Denmark. His lifelong affection for Alaska began when he, his wife and four children traveled the Alaska Highway in a camper accompanied by Nellie, their Newfoundland dog.

In 1973, he accepted a position in Juneau with the Department of Health and Social Services as program administrator for the Developmental Disabilities Program. After retiring from the state, he worked as an advocate with the Disability Law Center. Throughout his career he served on boards and advisory panels serving the developmentally disabled.

He grew up playing golf in Southern California, eventually reaching the pro-am golf circuit. The best times of his life, however, were spent with his family. He also loved fishing, boating and visiting their remote family cabin, his family said.

He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis more than 20 years ago. One by one, he had to give up the physical things he loved, but challenge him to a game of cards or engage him in lively conversation, and he was always ready, his family said.

His family and friends said they will miss his wit, intelligence, sense of humor and abiding devotion to those around him.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife; children, Lars Gregovich and his wife, Laura, of Juneau, Marie Franklin and her husband, Bruce, of Portland, Ore., David Gregovich, of La Jolla, Calif., and Paula Gregovich, of Eugene, Ore.; grandchildren, Andrew and Anna Gregovich, of Juneau, and Hester Franklin, of Portland.

An open house for family and friends will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, at the Gregovich family home, 202 Troy Ave.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Juneau Pioneers' Home.

Telephone

Address

(C) 2004 Disability Law Center of Alaska
3330 Arctic Boulevard, Suite 103, Anchorage, AK 99503
akpa@dlcak.org