Robert Stroud
Dr. Robert Wayne “Bob” Stroud, 87, passed away on April 27, 2017, at Alexian Brothers in Signal Mountain. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Bob was born in Jonesboro, Ar., to the late Erma and Homer Stroud. Growing up in the 1930s, his family lived in several different towns located across Arkansas and Texas. He graduated from Batesville High School in Batesville Arkansas in 1946 and subsequently obtained an undergraduate degree in Mathematics at Arkansas College.
After teaching high school for a year, Bob entered Georgia Tech and earned a master’s degree in Chemistry in 1954. He was drafted by the Army and served two years at the Army Chemical Center in Fort Meade, Maryland. Upon honorable discharge, Bob was offered a position at Union Carbide in Texas City, Texas. Driving down from Fort Meade, he stopped to visit an old friend from Arkansas College, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Thompson. The visit led to a romance and the couple was soon married. Shortly after the birth of their first child in Texas City, the family relocated to Austin Texas where Bob began pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Texas. It was in Austin the couple welcomed the birth of their second child. Upon graduation, Bob accepted a position at the DuPont plant in Chattanooga. He was to work for DuPont until his retirement 28 years later.
Throughout his married life, Bob was the quintessential father. His interests were many and he traveled extensively with his family, often camping and/or canoeing. He became a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying. He was a skilled carpenter and electrician, having helped his father build a house as a teen in Batesville. The tree house he built for his children, using a VW bug to drag a tree trunk on-site then winching it up into place as a primary support, was a remarkable feat in architectural design and execution. He enjoyed reading and often played chess with his son in the evenings.
After retiring, Bob followed a life long interest in business and computers working as a counselor at Score (Service Corps of Retired Executives). He also worked as an election day volunteer at his local voting precinct. In his later years, he enjoyed working outdoors around his house on Missionary Ridge.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mary Elizabeth Stroud.
He is survived by his son, Robert Stroud Jr.; his daughter, Judy Stroud; and his brother, Gary Stroud.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 4, at Forest Hills Cemetery with Dr. Linda McDaniel officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of choice.
Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort and view the memorial tribute.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 3, from 6-9 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.