Robert “Bob” E. Strom, 83, of Ocala, Florida, passed unexpectedly on Sunday, April 30th, 2023.
He was born in Hartford, CT, son of the late Walter E. Strom and Marion (Jahnige) Strom. He graduated from Hall high School in 1957 and joined the Air Force where he met his first wife, Miyoko (Ohnami) Strom (1935-1992) and returned to West Hartford to raise his family.
Bob worked two jobs for over 25 years and retired from the Travelers Insurance Company in 1993. However, still found time to support his daughters in their passion for skating (Joyce) and tennis(Jean). He found love for a second time with wife Kyoko whom he married in 1995. Together they opened Ikebana, a Japanese Flower store in Avon, CT where they worked together to create the most beautiful flower arrangements for residential homes and Hotels before moving to Florida in 2002. He took many trips across the globe, Japan, China and New Zealand were most memorable.
He loved tennis, gardening, Genealogy, flying model planes, going to the shooting range and most of all, Kyoko’s cooking. Bob was a Freemason and Worshipful Master of Wyllys Lodge #99 A.f & A.m in 1984. He was an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council 33 Degree Scottish Rite awarded in 1992, a Shriner and received many awards for his outstanding service over the years.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Kyoko (Kotabe) Strom; daughters, Jean Chapin and son-in-law Paul of Plymouth, CT; Joyce Strom of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; Chikako Yamauchi of Los Angeles, and grandchildren Katie McDermott and Robert McDermott.
The funeral and burial will be private.