Rosemarie Von Hacht Grantz

Rosemarie von Hacht Grantz, age 82 of Berkeley, California, died, Tuesday, August 5, 2003 in Oakland, California. Private services will be at National Cemetery on the Rock Island Arsenal Island, Rock Island, Illinois. Rosemarie von Hacht Grantz, a fourth generation Californian, was born on August 3rd, 1921 in Vallejo California. She attended Berkeley public schools and was a graduate of San Francisco State University with degrees in Music and Education. Shortly after graduation she was commissioned as a naval officer with the first group of WAVE inductees. As a lieutenant assigned to Damage Control Operations she was responsible for classified submarine intelligence. It was there she met Richard Grantz. They married January 6, 1946 and moved to his home in Moline, Illinois. In 1954 she co-founded the first area school with programs designed specifically for mentally handicapped children, which became a model for other programs in the state. After several years as a homemaker, Girl Scout Leader, swim parent, stage mother, and everyone's second mom, she finished her career teaching sixth grade at Colona School. After her husband's death she returned to Berkeley where she served with various volunteer organizations including the University of California's English in Action, the University's Art Museum, terms on the board of Children's Hospital Chinquapin, and four years as president of the Berkeley City Club. She was also a member of the First Congregational Church of Berkeley. She is survived by her daughter, Christine Grantz Sheppard, Jamestown, ND; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in her death by her parents, husband, Richard August, and son, Richard Karl.