Robert "Bob" Strobl October 2, 1939 - February 14, 2009 Robert "Bob" Strobl of Grand Junction passed away Saturday, February 14, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital. Bob was born October 2, 1939, at Clifton, CO. He was the son of Henry and Rachel (Terry) Strobl. He met his wife, Carole Allen Strobl, at Grand Junction High School. They married in San Diego, CA, March 12, 1960. Bob left for the U.S. Marine Corps on June 14, 1958, the day after he graduated from high school, and served until March 30, 1962. Upon discharge, Bob and Carole returned to Grand Junction. Bob worked for Safeway Stores and the D&RGW Railroad before finding his chosen profession as a firefighter for the Grand Junction Fire Department. He helped organize the first Fire Cadet program, was one of the first EMT's, developed the first vehicle for hazardous waste containment, received one of the first AAS degrees in Fire Science from Mesa State College, was a fire instructor for volunteer fire departments throughout the western slope and wrote the "History of the Grand Fire Department". Following his retirement, he became Hazardous Waste Manager for Mesa County School District. Bob loved to restore Chevrolet Corvairs. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, Mesa State College plays, volunteering with COP's for the Mesa County Sheriff's Department, history and old movies. Bob was extremely proud of his two sons, who both served as USMC officers, and now have good careers and families of their own. His parents; sister, Darline Raulston, and niece, Catherine Sappington preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Carole; sons, Michael (Stacey) and Mark (Carla); grandchildren, Olivia, Nate, Brianna, Bridgette and Tyler; sister, Beverly Foy; foster sister, Yvon Offerle; brother-in-law, Dennis Allen (Leah); and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to Toys for Tots, c/o Keller Williams Grand Junction Realty, LLC, Att: Greg Merschel, 715 Horizon Drive Suite 225, Grand Junction, CO 81506 or Colorado Professional Firefighters Foundation, 2342 Broadway, Suite #130, Denver, CO 80205.
Published in The Daily Sentinel on 2/18/2009
