When Rainer Gross first walked through the doors of Pitman Manor in the mid-1970s, he was barely out of high school, unsure where life might lead but eager to work hard and help others. Fifty years later, that same commitment to people, purpose, and community has become his legacy.
Rainer began his journey at Pitman Manor in 1976 as a stock person in the kitchen. What started as a way to earn a paycheck while attending Gloucester County College quickly grew into a lifelong career rooted in service.
“I was anxious to get to work,” Rainer recalled. “I worked full-time and went to school part-time. Pitman felt like a good place to be from the very beginning.”
Over the years, Rainer wore many hats — moving from the kitchen to housekeeping, then into maintenance, where he spent the majority of his career. Along the way, Rainer helped wherever he was needed, including security, transportation, and eventually, his current role as a part-time driver for residents.
For Rainer, the work was never just about fixing what was broken or getting residents from point A to point B. It was about helping people and doing so with compassion.
“I always felt like it was God’s work,” he shared. “My grandmother helped raise me when I was a kid, so I always thought of her when helping older adults.”
That perspective continues to shape how he shows up each day, especially now as a driver, taking residents to doctor’s appointments and offering them something just as valuable as a ride: connection.
“When we take rides, I’ll often ask our residents if they’d like to take a scenic route instead of the quickest way,” Rainer said. “It’s nice for them to be out in the world and see more — sometimes even places where they used to live.”
Rainer says being part of residents’ lives has shaped him just as much as he’s impacted them.
“It’s like being around your grandparents and helping them,” he explained. “And hoping that someday, when you get to that stage, people will do the same for you.”
“Rainer represents the very best of our community,” said Michele Matthews, Executive Director of Pitman Manor. “For 50 years, he has shown up with integrity, warmth, and a genuine desire to help others. Generations of residents and team members have benefited from his presence, and his legacy will continue to be felt long after the workday ends.”
When asked what he hopes to be remembered for when he eventually decides to hang up his keys, Rainer’s answer was simple and perfectly aligned with the way he’s lived.
“Just to treat people with kindness,” he said.
