Glenn Henry Gruett, age 86, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 18, 2026.

Glenn was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on March 15, 1940, to Hildegard and Wilmer Gruett. He attended Appleton High School, where he began building the foundation for a life centered around family, entrepreneurship, and a passion for the water industry — qualities that would later define both his career and the countless people he would go on to mentor.

In 1963, Glenn founded Water-Right, a water treatment company that began as a family business and grew in an industry that he cared for deeply. A true pioneer in the water trade, Glenn was named on numerous patents and was an active and respected member of the Water Quality Association, where he received the prestigious Ray Cross Award.

Simply put, Glenn loved water. He found great joy in educating others, conducting schools, sharing his knowledge, and mentoring those who worked alongside him, talking about his passion for making water clean, safe, and healthy. He was a dreamer, always looking toward the future to expand the family business, adding Mineral-Right and Clean Water Center to the company.

One of Glenn's greatest sources of pride was having his three sons join him in the family business. Together, they helped grow Water-Right into a worldwide company that not only expanded water treatment but also focused on creating countless lasting relationships throughout the industry — friendships Glenn treasured for the rest of his life. The family ultimately sold the business to A. O. Smith Corporation in 2019.

Outside of work, Glenn’s fearlessness was accentuated through his multiple passions, he served as an avid pilot, logging more than 14,000 hours in the air and excelled at downhill skiing, even earning an invitation to try out for the 1964 Winter Olympic Games. His adventurous spirit was seen in his deep love for the outdoors, especially through snowmobiling and fishing at his cabin in Canada.

Glenn met his wife, Linda, in 2005, beginning a life together filled with love and countless cherished memories. Together, they enjoyed traveling, life on the lake, and, most of all, simply being together. In his later years, Linda surrounded Glenn with comfort, warmth, and devotion, making sure he always felt cared for and deeply loved. Linda's loving care for him brought him endless happiness.

Glenn's legacy lives on not only through the company he built, but through the family he loved, the people he mentored, the friendships he treasured, and the legacy he left on an industry he cared so deeply about.

Glenn is survived by his loving wife, Linda; his children, Kurt (Diane), Greg (Maria), Guy (Brenda), and Gretchen (John) Richards; Linda’s children, John and Dan Schrei; grandchildren, Claudia (Jake) Labus, Mya, Ryan (Luree), Gia, Adam, Zack, Blake, Lauren and Liam Richards, and Emma Schrei; great-grandchild Vincent; the mother of his children, Mary Webster; sisters-in-law Nancy (Bob) Grishaber, Kitty Boyson, and Suzi (Mike) Rank; special caregiver Joyce; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Donald Gruett; his sister, Jan Cope; and his special brother-in-law and friend, Jimmy Boyson.

A private family service is planned.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to a charity of your choice.

As seen through his passions and work ethic, Glenn was a fearless dreamer who never let anything stand in the way of what he believed was possible. He lived life with courage, determination, and an unwavering pursuit of his dreams — always looking forward, eager to build something new. His family will carry that example with them: to dream without limits and to never stop pursuing the things that bring joy to life.