Obituary: CT Appellate Court Judge F. Herbert Gruendel of Branford

On Dec. 17, 2024, an eagle landed at the Branford home of retired CT Appellate Court Judge F. Herbert Gruendel, 77.

It circled the house twice, flew up and down the street, and at 2:12 in the afternoon it took him under its majestic wings and returned to the sky, according to his obituary.

On December 22, at just about noon, the eagle came again to the house and lifted his soul and spirit from our sorrow to finish his journey.

Learning of his passing, a younger man whom he had helped wrote, "We all live a hundred lives in our time together as human beings. In one of my earliest lives, I needed a lifeline, and that was Herb. In perfect harmony, the mind of an attorney and the heart of a friend saved my life."

"Judge Herb" Gruendel lived a "fully engaged life as a husband and father, teacher, and beloved principal of John B. Sliney Elementary School before becoming a lawyer, and later, a judge and proud member of the CT Appellate Court," according to his obituary.

He served as Chief Administrative Judge for the family division of the Connecticut Superior Court. In 2005, he was appointed to the Appellate Court, where he served until his mandatory retirement at the age of 70.

According to his obituary, Judge Gruendel "believed deeply that, in our turbulent times, we need many more young people who are able to disagree, argue their position, and resolve without anger and hate."

"To contribute to the goal of building —among young people —the values and skills necessary to engage in full civic stewardship, he asked that his friends and colleagues make a small online donation to the CT Bar Association Gruendel Mock Trial Fund," according to his obituary.

The Gruendel Fund at the Connecticut Bar Institute was endowed in 2023 in honor of Gruendel's "outstanding career as an educator and jurist for the state of Connecticut."

"The Gruendel Fund supports the CBA's commitment to Connecticut schools by providing assistance for necessary expenses such as transportation and registration costs associated with participation in the mock trial program," according to a statement on the Connecticut Bar Association website. "Judge Gruendel began his career as a public school teacher and principal for 12 years. Being an educator fostered his passion for mock trial competition so that students can experience and learn about the rule of law."

Rather than at a memorial service, he asked that we come together in smaller groups to share stories and lift a glass in remembrance. Planning for these is now underway. To join one of these celebrations of life, please email Janice Gruendel, jmgruendel@yahoo.com

Judge Gruendel is survived by a vibrant family. His three sons — David (Connecticut),
Darren (Virginia) and Stephen (North Carolina) — work as a teacher, businessman, and
attorney, respectively. Their wives — Elizabeth, Yolanda, and Amy — are similarly
amazing, a bilingual speech therapist and two attorneys. Three of his grandchildren have completed college, two more are currently enrolled, and the youngest is a high school sophomore.

His wife of forever, Janice, who also retired from state service, now works to advance the vision that all the state's youngest children experience on-target development, live healthy lives and flourish, according to the obituary.