Karsten and Jackie Gronert were both born a whole continent away, in Germany. They grew up as military brats, although they did not know each other then. Karsten’s father worked for NATO, and Jackie’s father was serving in the United States Army. Jackie’s childhood brought her to live in many places in the U.S. When her father retired after 30 years of service, they were living in Fort Bliss, TX. Karsten, on the other hand, spent most of his childhood in Germany and came to the U.S. as a teenager.
It was not until 1983 that they would meet at a local college bar while they attended the University of Texas, El Paso. “We began spending time together with a group of friends,” shares Jackie. “His friends jokingly called him ‘Johnny Karsten,’ and I completely missed the joke. For six months, I called him John, believing Karsten was his last name! When he explained that Karsten was actually his first name, I asked why he had let me call him John for so long. He replied, ‘I thought you were giving me a nickname.’ We both laughed.” They began dating while working on their degrees; Jackie’s in management and Karsten’s in science. They married in 1990 at a chapel on Fort Bliss. Karsten went on to earn his master’s degree and later a PhD from New Mexico State University while Jackie worked as Assistant Director of the Family Business Forum and Editor of the college’s magazine, while teaching people to use software programs on weekends. The couple moved to Boston for Karsten’s postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School. Jackie then worked as an Executive Assistant to the founder of a Public Relations firm. Their daughter, Zoe, was born there in 2003. Soon after, Karsten joined the faculty at New York Medical College and Jackie became a stay at-home mom. Four years later, Karsten accepted a faculty position at UC Berkeley, bringing the family to the Bay Area in 2007. “Coming from the East Coast, I was initially nervous about earthquakes and less than excited about moving to California,” says Jackie. “That quickly changed. I fell in love with the people, climate, and surroundings and began searching for a place where we could put down permanent roots. That search led us to Walnut Creek and Northgate.” Karsten is a professor, and his research focuses on glaucoma and immune diseases. Outside of work, he maintains a collection of reptiles, including a 70-pound tortoise. He is also a beekeeper and cares for the family’s chickens. He’s an avid motorcycle rider and swimmer with Walnut Creek Masters. Jackie was heavily involved in Zoe’s schools, as a room mom, and active in the community. “I watched many children grow into young adults and remain close with many of the families Zoe grew up with.” She chaired Northgate High School’s Grad Night 2020, which was cancelled due to COVID, and again in 2021, this time changing it into an outdoor Grad Day while the pandemic ebbed and flowed. When Zoe graduated, Jackie returned to work full-time as a Senior Executive Assistant to the Dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration at St. Mary’s College in Moraga. Jackie also enjoys a 2nd career now, using her creative skills as a writer and photographer. She is the author of a poetry and photography book titled Self- Portrait: The Art of Words, Moods, and Inner Voice. She spends early mornings
and weekends in creative pursuits such as writing, guitar and art. Zoe earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC Santa Cruz, where she also swam on the swim team for four years. After working for a year as a Registered Behavior Technician with children with autism, she started her graduate studies at USF to pursue a career as a clinical therapist. She is an avid reader and a Masters swimmer like her dad. The Gronerts enjoy exploring California’s parks and natural areas through hiking and camping. They also return to Europe each year to visit family.
They have adopted some of Karsten’s childhood traditions from Germany.On Dec. 6 they celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Jackie adds, “We polish one shoe and leave it outside the door; by morning, it is filled with chocolates and a small gift. We celebrate Christmas Eve by opening presents followed by a meat Fondue dinner and Christmas Day by eating Raclette (an interactive tabletop grill dinner popular in Germany).” The Gronerts feel fortunate to live just minutes from both the Open Space and the Canal Trail, with lots of options for nature exploration. Through the Valley Vista Barracudas Swim Team, they built lasting friendships with neighborhood families. Jackie adds, “Our neighbors have also become close friends. We celebrate graduations, birthdays, baby showers, and other milestones together. Several years ago, we began holiday block parties and created a group text called “BOWies,” named after our street. We stay connected, help one another, and celebrate each other through every stage of life. I wouldn’t trade our neighbors for anyone.” The Gronerts truly exemplify what finding home in Northgate really means; and how lucky we are to call this community our home too.
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991, Photo provided by the Gronert family