We certainly miss Robie and Charlie Stroble in our community -- the line dancing -- Tuesday at the Elks, dinner shows -- wonderful friends.  Hugs from Larry and Geri Wojcik

September 10, 2011
We will always remember what a gentleman Charlie was.  May the memories of happy times be of comfort to Robie and family.  Bob & Marge Williams

Robie
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.  We have such wonderful memories of you and Charlie here in Hudson, Florida-- all the wonderful events you brought to the club house, the dozens upon dozens who know how to line dance because of you.  We cherish your friendship. Hugs, Larry and Geri

We just hope Robie and family will find peace in their hearts and be left with many wonderful memories.
Paul & Jean Larson

Please accept our condolences and sympathies. As we learned of Charlie's passing we think back to when we met Charlie and Robie some ten years ago. We think about your friendliness, kindness, graciousness and welcoming way. We were always happy when we got lucky and got a seat next to you at an Elk's Lodge friday night dinner. 
We are sorry we didn't get to have more time with Charlie and Robie here in Hudson, Florida but cherish the memories of the many good years with you that we did have. We know you have many friends here who feel the same way as we do.
We say goodbye with the words of Richard Bach "Don’t be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before we can meet again and meeting again, after moments or a lifetime, is certain for those who are friends." Lowell and Carol

The Keepsake

By Jon C. Stroble

Last November I received a wonderful keepsake from Robie (my dear stepmother).  She gave me my Dad’s ring.  The diamonds in the ring are from my mother’s wedding ring.  
I’m surprised at how moved I am and how special it is to me to have this.  I think about where it’s been and the things it’s seen.  I remember it on my Dad’s hand.  In my mind it used to be much bigger.  It seemed very right for Dad to wear Mom’s diamond; he wore it proudly and he always looked sharp.  Ever the gallant gentleman, a veteran and a patriot.  I remember him whenever I use my Cross pen; whenever I grill a steak on my Webber grill; when I have a chore with a hammer or saw; when I have a good day with my boat or just out on a drive on a nice day in the country.  These are things of the Charlie brand.  That’s how Dad rolls.  These things are part of the values Dad has passed forward to me. 
Dad is still with us except, you might say, in ways that matter most.  The damned Alzheimer’s has taken away his memories, awareness and recognition even of the people he loves; the ones whose strength and dreams have been torn by fallout from the disease.
Most times he still has the same personality, same values.  He has a friendly greeting and always a gentleman.  Always smartly dressed and groomed.  He spent hour and hours packing bags and the car to go “home” but never understanding where home was.  His energy levels and the rich, strong voice is now fading.  The voice that used to tell me to… “Get a haircut”, or give me the lecture before the spanking for teasing my sister or something.  I hated the lecture part.  He would say this was going to hurt him more than it was me and I’d understand when I got older, (He was wrong about that one so far).  That’s gone but, to the end he still carried on and conducted himself with all possibly dignity given the damned disease.  
He always cared about his family and what’s best for his loved ones above himself.  He never wasted a 5 minutes watching a sporting event, unless it was part of a family interest.  He had too many little projects, shelves and things to build when he had time off.  He always read the paper and kept current with events of the day.  I miss his laugh after his daily ritual of reading the comic strip character Andy Capp.  
When I was growing up I always felt loved, safe and secure.  I should repeat, underline and “all caps” the word ALWAYS.  That’s the most important thing that a son can say.  He was a great parent.  He had to take on more than his share of parenting before Jenny and I were grown.  A task that worried him but a task he managed well from my point of view.  I hope I measure up to half the man he was and carry forward the many wonderful things he taught me.
This Christmas we spent time at our daughter Jessica’s house.  I wore the ring and found myself reflecting of fond memories while making new ones.  Special blessed moments enjoying family traditions like making a special Christmas morning breakfast, complete with libation of course.  Moments like grilling a steak the way Dad did it.  Having my childhood favorite, molasses cookies, Mom’s recipe, now made by Dr. Jessica, her granddaughter. 
I doubt Dad understood how his mind slowly failed.  If he knew I’m sure he’d be mad as hell!  Mad because there is so little that can be done and mad at the toll it takes on his loved ones.  Some famous person once said “no one gets out of this world alive”.  We don’t get to choose to take the hard way or an easy way out. 
And this brings me to my visit just this Monday August 22nd.  Planning my visit I had no urgency, no sense that the end was so near.  With Alzheimer’s you have control of nothing.   Dad fought and somehow found enough strength to take a little control and stay with us long enough that I could see him one last time.  I believe it was something more than a coincidence that he passed within 15 minutes of Jenny and arriving at his bedside.  I stroked his head with this hand and all of his loved ones passed welcomed him home.  No more pain.  No more packing.  Only peace, beauty and love.    
Now for the uplifting conclusion and “moral of the story”, so to speak.  A good friend reminded me, while our loss is great today, we are lucky to have had him in our lives.   We have to enjoy the moments we have, do the best we can pass it forward.  Pass forward the traditions, values and the keepsakes that define who we are.  And, we can pray that we will find peace and happiness when we all get together in a better place.  The ring means all this to me.  Robie - thank you for passing on this keepsake and for being wonderful.  Dad - we always felt loved, safe and secure.  RIP

OBITUARIO

Charlie M. Stroble

27 diciembre, 1922 – 22 agosto, 2011

Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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