William H. Gruber, 88 of Woburn, MA passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023. Born to Benjamin and Ruth Gruber on March 6, 1935, Bill attended Brookline, Massachusetts schools before graduating from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1956 and earning a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1965. Dr. Gruber, an organizational theorist, was a professor at MIT, Boston College and Northeastern University, and is known for his work in the application of information technology to business. He founded the consulting firm, Research & Planning Inc (R&P), now part of Appnet (NASDAQ APPT). Dr. Gruber co-authored a book with William Synott, in 1981, that first introduced the concept of the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Dr Gruber became a CIO himself at the Harvard Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions.
Bill is predeceased by his parents and sister, Ronda Gruber. Bill leaves behind two families that he cherished deeply, his beloved wife of 30 years, Ann Marie (McLaughlin) Gruber, his children Amanda Gruber of Cambridge, Robert Gruber and wife Kathleen Fisher of Washington D.C., and Thomas Gruber of Cambridge, his step-children Karen Thorp-Dussourd and husband Ed Dussourd of Chelmsford, Joe Thorp and wife Sheryl Thorp of Concord, MA, Lynn Denis and husband Kevin Denis of Crofton, MD, his grandchild Darcy Angle, and step-grandchildren Conlan and Kaleigh Dussourd, Aidan and Ethan Thorp, and Emily, Robbie, and Ana Denis whom all affectionately called him Grampy.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes, private services will be held on Nov 13th. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association. mymsaa.org Arrangements by the McLaughlin – Dello Russo Family Funeral Home of Woburn.