Dr. John Richard Grunder was born on December 15, 1938, to John A. Grunder, Jr. and Ruth A. (Masters) Grunder. A pharmacy graduate of Ohio Northern University of Ada, Ohio, Dr. Grunder earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University before entering a postdoctoral fellowship at Ohio State University. Dr. Grunder then accepted a teaching position at Medical College of Virginia, where he taught general chemistry and biochemistry. In September of 1966, he joined the faculty at the Oklahoma University College of Pharmacy as an Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry.
In the last quarter century, Dr. Grunder has had a wide array of experiences and assignments. A chemistry teacher at heart, he professed that "teaching medicinal chemistry is the best part. Working with the students is a lot of fun." For the last ten years of his tenure at Oklahoma University, Dr. Grunder also served the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy as Director of Student Services. In that role, he again served as a student advocate helping students with admission, enrollment, and graduation issues. Dr. Grunder has been preceded in death by his parents, John A. Grunder, Jr. and Ruth A. Grunder, and his sister, Ann Grunder. Dr. Grunder is leaving a substantial legacy which is to further the career of deserving students at Ohio Northern University of Ada, Ohio, College of Pharmacy and assisting the teachers and citizens of Minerva, Ohio, through Minerva Education Foundation and Alumni Association. Services are under the direction of the Bartley Funeral Home and are to be held at 2:30 o'clock p.m. on Friday, 13 May, 2016, at Eastlawn Cemetery Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to either of the two referenced organizations.