Jean and Paul Groben, D.O.’75, a radiologist, are thankful their three children and two grandchildren reside in Des Moines. That’s the home of Jasper Winery, which the Grobens launched when son Mason, a viticulturist and enologist, persuaded them to make wine with the two acres of grapes they were growing on their small farm near Newton, IA. Jean jokes it’s a “hobby gone astray,” but in a good way. Jasper’s wines have received positive reviews in prestigious publications. Since moving into a new facility near Des Moines’ Water Works Park, Jasper Winery has become a popular venue for DMU alumni events as well as weddings, reunions and weekly outdoor summer concerts that draw thousands of people ranging from babies in strollers to seniors using walkers.
“It makes us feel good to have the opportunity to bring families together,” says Paul.
The Grobens view DMU as family, too. Before medical school, Paul gained a “guiding light” in Jean’s family physician, Joseph Baker, D.O.’50, DMU faculty emeritus and a longtime member of the DMU Board of Trustees (now deceased). Years later, son Luke, D.O.’06, was counseled by Dr. Baker’s son Larry Baker, D.O.’77, current chair of the DMU Board and medical director at Iowa Methodist emergency department.
“DMU has been really good for us,” says Luke, a cardiologist with Iowa Clinic Cardiovascular Services. “We wouldn’t be able to do all this if DMU hadn’t let us in.”
