With a career that spanned more than 50 years, Robert Grunnah made a lot of friends in the Dallas commercial real estate industry. He was universally loved. Despite this—and his many industry achievements—he eschewed the spotlight. So, his cohorts on the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame committee needed to work quietly to surprise him by presenting him with the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 HOF event, presented in partnership with the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors.
“I can’t believe we pulled it off,” says Kathy Permenter, a member of the Hall of Fame Committee and co-managing partner of Younger Partners, where Grunnah worked until he retired last year. “He was very surprised.”
Grunnah passed away last week at the age of 80 following a recent stroke.
It’s hard to overstate the impact he had on the industry, not only as a preeminent land broker but also as a leader and mentor. Grunnah began his career in 1971 as president of the investments and land division at Henry S. Miller Co. He formed NOVUS Commercial Real Estate in 2015 with Sam Kartalis and Greg Trout. A year later, the company combined forces with Younger Partners, led by Permenter and Moody Younger.
Grunnah was actively involved in the industry he loved. He co-founded the Land Council of North Texas and served as vice chair of the Greater Dallas Association of Realtors. He is probably best known for his leadership of the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, which he co-founded in 1987 with Darrell Hurmis and Chris Teesdale. Grunnah was also a driving force and co-publisher of a coffee table book that documents the history of the commercial real estate industry in North Texas. The Hall of Fame—Book IV will be released this fall. It will be dedicated to Grunnah.
A decorated Air Force veteran, Grunnah earned a BBA from Southern Methodist University. He was a longtime contributing editor to D CEO Commercial Real Estate, sharing his deep knowledge of the market.
Here, some of his closest friends and colleagues share memories of Grunnah and their perspectives on his impact on the industry.
“This has been a very difficult loss to me personally and to the industry as well. We worked closely on the Hall of Fame for 37 years (36 events and four books). It’s hard to summarize such an honorable man who gave so much not only to the Hall of Fame but also to the commercial real estate industry, including mentoring and leading young professionals in this business. His impact transcends our whole industry. I wish I had better words to describe this most private and unique individual whom I am blessed to have had the opportunity to know. He will be deeply missed.” —Chris Teesdale, executive vice president, Colliers International
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my mentor and best friend. He was the most caring and thoughtful person you could ever imagine. This is a shock to all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed. … A highlight was when we surprised him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He had turned us down many times in the past, not wanting attention. But he gave me a big hug afterward and told me how much it meant to him.” —Darrell Hurmis, executive vice president and principal, Henry S. Miller Realty Services
“Robert was a wonderful human being. He was so genuine and humble—he never wanted attention on himself. Dallas wouldn’t have the real estate Hall of Fame and The Book without Robert. He established it and ran it. He impacted so many people’s lives in real estate and had a positive impact on everyone. … When we merged, he transformed our company by diversifying it into other businesses. He had such a deep knowledge of the market and people.” —Moody Younger, co-managing partner, Younger Partners
“After I served as president of NTCAR, he and Chris [Teesdale] and Darrell [Hurmis] asked me to be on the Hall of Fame Committee. I was the first woman to be a member of the committee, and I felt very honored. At one of our committee meetings, he shared with me that his company was for sale and asked me if Moody and I would be interested. It was one of the best things that ever happened to our firm. … There are a zillion stories about Robert doing things behind the scenes and helping others. People have so much respect for him. He was a huge fixture in the industry—an icon in the business. He also was a true gentleman with a great sense of humor and heart of gold.” —Kathy Permenter, co-managing partner, Younger Partners
“My hope is that we all remember and honor the legacy of Robert for many years to come. His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication, particularly to the NTCAR Hall of Fame, has inspired and impacted so many. I will be forever grateful to have known Robert. He was a force.”— Lynn Dowdle, president, Dowdle Real Estate (and HOF committee member)
“Back in the late 1980s and early ’90s, many people may remember the savings & loan crisis and RTC days. It was a very dark time for our industry, and many brokers failed to make it. Broke and discouraged, I was provided some much-needed encouragement by Robert, a longtime broker, and seasoned veteran. He sent me a handwritten note and then called me and gave me a much-needed pep talk to stay the course and hang in there. He told me I was an up-and-coming young gun and that our market was cyclical and things would work out. After four decades of brokerage and many lifelong memories, I’m certainly grateful for Robert’s words of encouragement.” —Rex Glendenning, REX Real Estate
“I met Robert in 1974 when I joined the Miller Co. He ran the land group and I was partners with Herb Weitzman in the retail group. We all knew each other and had a lot of fun. We were broke but happy. Robert was always the extrovert—everyone liked him, throughout his career. He was very bright and a shrewd businessman. When Miller got bought out, a lot of the key guys left and started their own firms. Robert did his deal, and I did my deal; then in the early 1990s, we got together. … Robert was a great partner. We worked together for 50 years—a lifetime. He was well-known and respected in the business—an absolute professional. I was very lucky, and I will greatly miss him.” —Sam Kartalis, consultant, Younger Partners
Author
Christine Perez
Christine is the editor of D CEO magazine and its online platforms. She’s a national award-winning business journalist who has…