University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
10/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2024 14:41
Memorial service planned for Martin Gruberg, retired chair of the UWO political science department
Martin Gruberg
A dynamic researcher and retired chair of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh political science department, Martin Gruberg, 89, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Oshkosh.
A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home-Westside, 100 Lake Pointe Drive, Oshkosh, with interment at Lake View Memorial Park.
Gruberg served at UWO for 45 years, from 1963 to 2008, teaching courses from the American presidency to political films, and great trials, where his students re-litigated famous trials.
In 1964, Gruberg began research for what would become a groundbreaking text on women in American politics, the first book-length study to be published on the topic, according to his obituary. During his work on the book, he formed a friendship with then-ACLU attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who used his book in her arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.
His obit noted Gruberg was a lifelong champion for civil rights, prolific author, and lifelong Democrat.
Tracy Slagter, current chair of the UWO political science department, said Gruberg was a longtime member and leader of the department, and she reflected on his contributions:
"In many ways, he was a trailblazer," Slagter said. "For example, in a time when students were expected to sit back and merely listen to their professors, Martin was finding ways to encourage students to interact and participate, adding their own voices. And when women made up a very small proportion of our discipline, he was tracking and championing their participation in national and regional conferences. When students were expected to find their own paths to law school, Martin helped them through one-on-one pre-law counseling. A lot of the work that we do in our department now-especially our devotion to our students-was fostered and celebrated by Martin Gruberg before most of our current faculty members were even hired."
Gruberg is survived by his wife, Vivian; daughter, Sharita Gruberg; son, Shabab Gruberg and his wife, Shannon Sharp Gruberg; and grandchildren, Aman Gruberg and Arif Gruberg.
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