Raymond Greuter, from the Memorial Middle School's 1980 yearbook.
Point Boro schools
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Point Pleasant Boro residents and school alumni are mourning the death of Raymond Greuter, the long-time music teacher in Memorial Middle School.
Greuter, who was 64 when he died Thursday, was known for his modern and eclectic musical tastes - as well as his easy-going manner - as he became a Point Boro school district mainstay for 38 years.
Dan Carver, director of the Memorial Middle School band, dedicated a song to Greuter during the school's band concert on Thursday night.
"All of us in the Point Pleasant Borough School District, especially Memorial Middle School, were deeply saddened by the news of Ray Greuter’s passing. He was well liked and respected by all those who knew him, and we have been profoundly touched by this tragedy," the district said in a statment.
Greuter, who was hired in 1970 and retired in 2008, was known for his love of Supertramp - particularly "The Logical Song," which he had students sing to, and practically memorize, during his classes inside the school's band room.
While other teachers would have kids listen to Beethoven, or have them square dance to country music, Greuter would play "Call Me" from Blondie, "Running On Empty" from Jackson Browne or even a little Devo for his grateful students.
"Ray always strived for excellence for himself and for his students. He was always excited about exploring new instructional methods related to music and the students," the district said.
He was known for engaging students who otherwise didn't want to be engaged. If they were wearing a concert shirt, he likely knew the band - and maybe even went to the show.
"Hey, I like the Dead," he once said to a student wearing a Grateful Dead shirt. The two then hit it off, spending a little bit of time at the beginning of each class period talking about the Grateful Dead.
"We can take some solace in the good and lasting work that Ray did in his too-brief lifetime. The results of his outstanding teaching and his beneficial influence on students will live on," the district said.
"His students, in a very real sense, are monuments to Ray’s life and dreams. If ever there was a life fully lived, one filled with lasting achievement, it was Raymond’s."
There are no known plans for a funeral, according to school officials. His last residence was believed to be Brick.
Donna Hughes Mcknight
11:52 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
RIP Mr .Greuter
Jennifer Enright
11:55 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Mr. Greuter was a teacher everyone who spent their middle years at Memorial remembered. He made an impact on so many. Good job, teach ~ may you rest in peace.
Horse mom
12:14 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Ray was my music teacher and a family friend , he had a sharp sense of humor and always wa kind , I took piano lesson at my home with him when I was young , our friendship continued throughout the years , I spoke to him every birthday without fail, I will truly miss him
Horse mom
12:15 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I wish the picture they posted was with his cat green contacts , he hated wearing his glasses lol
Tom Szymanski
12:20 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Very sad. He was a great teacher-I don't know of anybody who had him in class and didn't love him
Stephanie Dalton
12:35 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Mr. Greuter always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart! Rest in peace.
Denise Di Stephan
12:59 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Horse mom: Tom Davis used the best photo available to him. If you have a better photo, please feel free to load into story. Thank you.
Maryann Ebel
1:33 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A truly nice guy with a great big heart. Rest in peace, Ray.
Horse mom
1:50 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I wish I did have a better picture , I have my memorial school year book from 1977
Robin Clayton Cole
1:57 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I remember singing Fire n Rain, and the theme from MASH... Piano lessons in my home... And helping out in the pit crew of Promises Promises.. Great memories
Letty Johnson Ryan
2:11 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Beautiful soul, rest in peace. Love you 4ever!
Adam M Flaherty
2:39 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A good teacher he was,always had a smile and would go out of his way to help any child in need even if he didnt have the time,had some good times in his class,now he rocks out with all the legions,R.I.P. buddy,rock on!!!!
Tom Davis
3:11 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I have some other pictures of him, but they were too small. This one seemed to capture his spirit - I believe it was from Halloween, 1979. But, please, feel free to contribute. I'd love to to see a picture of him teaching in the band room, putting an LP on the turntable.
Gerri Daneman
3:14 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Ray Greuter was an integral part of out family Christmas Party for over 20 years. We met Ray at the Oyster Point Hotel playing piano and asked if he would play for our party.. This year our family struggled through the devestation that Sandy left and we knew our community and close friends needed some upliftling so we still had the party donating toys brought by our guest to the Madonna House... Ray played like he did for the last 20 years..HE WAS THE MAIN EVENT! Each year we waited for Ray to arrive!. He made every child and adult smile through every sing - a -long Christmas Carol .. ending as usual with the "12 days of Christmas'.. Ray you were the HIGHLIGHT of our Christmas! You were a family friend... Rest in peace Raymond.. I know you will be playing for the angels in heaven ! We will miss you terribly...
Gerri,Brian,Andre and Lilly Daneman
Little Silver NJ
Please if anyone hears about a service for Ray.. can you email us?
bondlady1@gmail.com
Jack McHugh
4:02 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Even though it has been almost 40 years since my time in Ray Greuter's music class, my memory of it is like yesterday. He was a kind man and a great teacher. And no remembrance of Ray would be complete without a nod to his nickname (at least in the mid '70's)..."Groovy Greuter"...simply the funkiest wardrobe of any teacher in the Boro! Ray, you will be missed...
Horse mom
4:27 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Awwwww Groovy Greuter , I so remember that ! He laughed at that name too he found it amusing , Gerri i am happy to read your post about Ray, he lite up a room with his personality and smile , thank you for sharing about Christmas , I hope you and your family recovered from Sandy , thank you again
Barbara Fredrick
4:43 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Joe and Barbara Fredrick
Ray was a friend in and out of school. We were so sorry to hear of his passing. Joe taught with him, and remembers always calling him "Groovy Greuter" as well. We remember early on going to a bar in Lakewood with Ray and a few other friends to see Glesby Mason perform as "Miss Vicky". What a great time! We'll miss you Ray!
Pirate of the new age
7:36 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Still brings me back to 7th grade anytime I hear the first few bars of Supertramp. But more memorable was the fact he was the only person in PP who had a bootleg of Bruce's "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town." That was a highlight of the Christmas season as a music crazed teenager.
Nina
9:33 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Thanks for always playing disco Mr. Greuter! Dancing to MacArthur Park, learning the hustle and you truly enjoying your students made your class so much fun!
David Neafie
1:38 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
RIP RAY..
Lisa Miller
5:02 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Goodbye to a friend...."kisses"
Unemployed July 1
5:06 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
R.I.P. my dear....."kisses"
Carol Rogers Brooks
2:18 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
RIP Ray...you have made me laugh since the days at the Osprey...and thank you for being so good to my kids....you were a hero the day Melissa got the French Horn key stuck in her finger....the scar she has will always be a reminder of your humor and kindness....the world was a better place with you in it......I will always think of you when I hear YESTERDAY.....Good bye , friend...you are with all the greats now, where you will fit right in....you can now play your music with Levon, Jimi, Janet and many more....much love....xxoo
samantha ferraro
11:09 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Mr.grueter was my band teacher in middle school. He was the best band teacher that i had. He was a kind sweet funny man and he will be truly missed. Rest in peace
Amanda Ely
4:01 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Once a friend and a father figure. You will always be in my heart. I thought of you through the years and cherrished the days that you were there for me when life was tough. I never forget your smile and your love for music and your way of cheering me up and making me smile. RIP. Love The kid
Amanda Ely
6:10 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Wishing you were somehow here again, now Angel of music!!
Suzanne Robinson Jackson
10:08 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
RIP Mr. Greuter. I have many fond memories of singing in his class. Loved singing Mötley Crue's Hime Sweet Home. Every time I hear that song I think of his class.
Drew McCarsky
12:12 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013
Ray was my Mentor Music teacher in School and my Piano/Organ teacher as well as vocal teacher out of School. He was my Life coach, I could write pages of the things ray did to help me through my years between Memorial and the High school! Ray Greuter IS a once in lifetime experience. It will take quite some time to get used to the idea that he is but a phone call away. I hope that some of Ray had rubbed off on me over the years, I am a better man for it! Ray, I will miss your Humor, Your guidance and that way of making me see that as dark as things may look, the next day is always better! Now- It will be a little less so. I can only hope that you hear me playing my piano and see that I am who you hoped I could be! rest in Peace my dear Friend and Mentor! I hope to see you at the "Next gig"
As I would always say to him as he would leave from our Voice and Lessons- "Later Groots!"
Horse mom
8:08 am on Sunday, January 27, 2013
For anyway wishing to contribute to Rays scholarship please send your donation to Lisa Miller at Memorial Middle school , there is also a " celebration" for Ray at the Ark in point Pleasant Monday 28, 3:30 pm all welcome to share stories and remember Rays humor, kindness and talent, mostly his life and friendship to us all.
You can email me at greatwht@aol.com for any details or to send donations in Rays memory .
The collection for his scholarship will be taken Monday
Hope to see you there !
Wendy
Nim
11:35 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Raymond.........I miss you so........