He was a graduate of New Holstein High School and UW-Madison. He excelled in track, winning the Big Ten Long Jump and Javelin titles. He also was Manager of the UW Basketball team under legendary coach, Doc Meanwell.
During the Depression, he worked for the Wisconsin Highway Department as a surveyor and draftsman. In 1934, while working on the Hwy 141 project, he met and married Dorothy Rabe of Pound, whom he always called "Sara". During World War II, he was an engineer in the Civil Aeronautics Corps, planning and developing airfields throughout the Midwest. He moved his family to Peshtigo in 1944, working for the Pete Johnson Construction Company of Marinette before starting his own Henry Gremmer Construction Co. The road construction company employed many local people on state and federal highway projects across Wisconsin. In the late 1960's he became Peshtigo City Engineer. He was instrumental in completing several major improvement projects, taking a lead role in the clean up of the lower Peshtigo River.
For over 50 years, he operated his own surveying business. He surveyed hundreds of public and private lands throughout Marinette and Oconto Counties and engineered the construction of Marinette's Pine Tree Mall.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Lucy of Milwaukee; four sons, Tim of Stevens Point, John of Winneconne, Dan of Green Bay, Paul of Milwaukee; a sister, Laona Hawkins of St. Louis; a brother, Stanley Gremmer of San Antonio; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and special friends, Wes Anderson and Sharon Shounard.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Arte, a sister, Lily, and a son, Peter.
Friends called on Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m. at the Peshtigo United Methodist Church. Rev. Ron Helgerson officiated at a memorial service at 11 a.m. Harper Funeral Home served the family.
Donations may be made in his name to the Unity Hospice Program.