The photo of Robb Greenawald finishing an Ironman triathlon in 2015 with his arms raised and fingers pointing skyward is fitting.
“I love this picture,” said Green Bay Community Church Pastor Troy Murphy. “It really is a great picture of a life lived. And you notice what he is doing? He’s got his fingers in the air and that’s exactly how Robb felt. You got to know him and you knew he said, ‘All credit to God.’ He crossed the finish line and just gave the glory to God.’”
Robb, a member of the GBCC family, died on Wednesday from complications of ALS at the age of 50.
“Robb’s life didn’t stop with loving God,” Troy said. “He knew he wanted to be about a God that loved others.”
Robb was a math teacher at Green Bay Preble for 27 years. He also coached basketball and track and loved to pour into the lives of his students.
"He was an incredible teacher and highly respected by the students at Preble,” said Natalie Killion of Green Bay. "It was an honor to not only walk the halls of Preble as a student when he was a teacher there, but to also work with him professionally as a school counselor at Preble for eight years. His contributions will forever be memorialized by the lives he touched.”
Despite suffering a heart attack and battling diabetes, Robb overcame the odds and continued to pursue running. He completed 14 marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2001, and then moved on to triathlons.
As Robb endured more physical challenges during the last year, he never doubted God's faithfulness.
“No matter what challenge he faced, he never complained and never wavered in his faith,” said Joe Gindt, a friend who attended Bible studies and other events with Robb at GBCC. “He always said, 'I know God is going to take care of me.' Even last Sunday when it was difficult for him to voice a response, he would still say, 'I’m doing good.’”
Joe said he will always remember Robb’s passion for the things he loved: his Lord and Savior Jesus, his family, and teaching kids, especially about life.
Robb is survived by his wife Dawn and three children: Brittany Greenawald (and her husband Tim Breecher), Justin Greenawald and Jesse Greenawald.
"Of all the things that Robb was, at his very core he was a family man,” said John Belanger, a shepherd elder at Crossroads Community Church, a sister church to GBCC. "Everything he did revolved around family.”
Robb got connected with Crossroads, which is located near downtown Green Bay, soon after it partnered with GBCC in 2017.
"Robb instantly connected with the people at Crossroads,” John said. "His unassuming personality and gentle spirit made him fit in. It felt like he had been there forever. That’s who Robb was."
