ABOUT US (Reprint from Hillquest Urban Guide "Pioneers" Section 2009-2010)
Bob Grinchuk and Reuel Olin were married at the San Diego County
Administration Building on June 17, 2008, the first day it was possible
to do so. One reason for their impatience might be that they had been a
loving couple “living in sin” (as they dryly put it) for 35 years. Another
is that they take seriously their responsibility as role models and leaders
in the gay (and wider) community.
Those many years ago, Bob and Reuel met at a faculty tea at a New Jersey college (they both have Ph.Ds). Subsequently Bob moved into college administration and Reuel managed
employment and training programs as an executive for ITT Corporation.
After moving to San Diego 25 years ago, they embarked on an entrepreneurial journey,
which began with the purchase and renovation of a fourplex in South Park. This led to the
formation of Bobolink Property Management. They purchased and managed several apartment
communities mainly in Uptown, among them the historical Casa Grande Apartments on University Avenue, which they recently sold after 16 years.
They took advantage of their management expertise in running education
programs for the San Diego County Apartment Association, on whose
board Bob would later serve and become its president — being awarded
the association’s prestigious Award of Excellence for his service. Bob and
Reuel also developed management certifi cation courses for apartment
associations around the country. Along the way, they acquired The Villa
Resort in Palm Springs and created The Wine Lover, a wine bar in Hillcrest,
now celebrating its tenth anniversary.
After becoming founding members of the San Diego Men’s Chorus
(for which they funded a KPBS documentary), they decided half-jokingly
to divvy up their community activities, with Bob taking the “straight”
organizations and Reuel the “gay” ones. Consequently, Bob still serves
on the Boards he has chaired, The Hillcrest Business Improvement
Association, Uptown Planners and the Uptown Partnership. Among many
other boards and commissions, such as chair of Mercy Gardens — housing
for people with AIDS — and Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), he
was also vice president of the San Diego Housing Commission’s Board of
Commissioners.
Meanwhile, Reuel was executive producing director of Diversionary
Theatre in its early years, and served on the Mayor’s Task Force on Voter
Rights, the Citizens Review Board on Police Practices and the San Diego
Human Relations Commission. Additionally, he was president of the
Greater San Diego Business Association and chair of the LGBT Community
Center, spearheading its move to Centre Street. Bob and Reuel have been
strong supporters of The Center. Among other philanthropic activities,
they funded the Olin-Grinchuk Senior Space and the West Wing of The
Center’s Youth Housing Project downtown.
Both are recipients of the Third Council District’s Community Spirit Award.
Administration Building on June 17, 2008, the first day it was possible
to do so. One reason for their impatience might be that they had been a
loving couple “living in sin” (as they dryly put it) for 35 years. Another
is that they take seriously their responsibility as role models and leaders
in the gay (and wider) community.
Those many years ago, Bob and Reuel met at a faculty tea at a New Jersey college (they both have Ph.Ds). Subsequently Bob moved into college administration and Reuel managed
employment and training programs as an executive for ITT Corporation.
After moving to San Diego 25 years ago, they embarked on an entrepreneurial journey,
which began with the purchase and renovation of a fourplex in South Park. This led to the
formation of Bobolink Property Management. They purchased and managed several apartment
communities mainly in Uptown, among them the historical Casa Grande Apartments on University Avenue, which they recently sold after 16 years.
They took advantage of their management expertise in running education
programs for the San Diego County Apartment Association, on whose
board Bob would later serve and become its president — being awarded
the association’s prestigious Award of Excellence for his service. Bob and
Reuel also developed management certifi cation courses for apartment
associations around the country. Along the way, they acquired The Villa
Resort in Palm Springs and created The Wine Lover, a wine bar in Hillcrest,
now celebrating its tenth anniversary.
After becoming founding members of the San Diego Men’s Chorus
(for which they funded a KPBS documentary), they decided half-jokingly
to divvy up their community activities, with Bob taking the “straight”
organizations and Reuel the “gay” ones. Consequently, Bob still serves
on the Boards he has chaired, The Hillcrest Business Improvement
Association, Uptown Planners and the Uptown Partnership. Among many
other boards and commissions, such as chair of Mercy Gardens — housing
for people with AIDS — and Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), he
was also vice president of the San Diego Housing Commission’s Board of
Commissioners.
Meanwhile, Reuel was executive producing director of Diversionary
Theatre in its early years, and served on the Mayor’s Task Force on Voter
Rights, the Citizens Review Board on Police Practices and the San Diego
Human Relations Commission. Additionally, he was president of the
Greater San Diego Business Association and chair of the LGBT Community
Center, spearheading its move to Centre Street. Bob and Reuel have been
strong supporters of The Center. Among other philanthropic activities,
they funded the Olin-Grinchuk Senior Space and the West Wing of The
Center’s Youth Housing Project downtown.
Both are recipients of the Third Council District’s Community Spirit Award.
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