Ronald Strobel

Little Rock resident Ronald “Ronnie, RJ, Romeo, Ron or Papa Ron” Strobel, 78, died December 5, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. Ron was native to Arkansas, born on November 17, 1944 to Eva and Andrew Strobel. They raised him and five siblings on the once-active dairy farm just minutes from Subiaco Academy in Subiaco, AR. He was no stranger to hard work, modeled early by his parents. There, the community was an extension of the family that he loved; he supported them for years despite the distance from the city to the farms.

He went to school at St. Benedict’s and graduated high school from Subiaco Academy, a Catholic school for boys, in 1962. He enlisted in the Army in 1965. Once, when he was home on leave from service, one of his sisters coordinated a blind date with Elizabeth “Beth” Fine, who became the love of his life. Upon his discharge from the Army in April 1968, Ron and Beth were married in October and moved to Little Rock to build their life. They had three children and raised their family between Fort Smith, Subiaco, and Little Rock, all whilst keeping close ties to their extended families in Arkansas and Louisiana. Ron was employed by REA express and Thermogas, which later became Ferrell gas. There, he met many of his lifelong friends that supported and loved him through his last days.

Ronnie was quick to lend a helping hand whatever the job. He will be remembered by all who knew him as the man with all the answers. If not, his friends and family always trusted him to figure it out. While not always the most collaborative problem solver, he happily demonstrated why his way was–in his opinion–the best. No job was too tall. Over the years, he mastered many trades and learned various skill sets including mechanic work, cattle farming, welding, painting, building, concrete masonry, carpentry, butchering and meat curating, gardening, farming, hay bucking or bailing, and lawn architecture. Ron was a model provider for his family. He had a loving nature and a playfulness that emerged after all the day’s work was done.

Ron was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva and Andrew; sister, Phyllis Mayo; and his wife, Beth. He is survived by his son, Steve (wife, Patti); his daughters, Sharon (husband, Patrick Barron) and Sandra (partner, Jessie York); grandchildren, Sabrina (husband, Tyler Feemster), Sarah, Grayston, Sean; and great-grandchild, Isabella. Ron and Beth engendered a strong catholic faith, putting family, friends and neighbors first. He will be missed.

All are welcome to celebrate Ron’s life as he begins catching up with those who have gone ahead of him. Visitation will be at Smith Funeral Home in Little Rock on Thursday, December 15th from 4 - 6 PM with a rosary following at 6 PM. A memorial mass is scheduled at Christ the King Church on Friday, December 16th at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, his family is requesting gifts be made to ARORA, 1300 Wilson Rd., Little Rock, AR 72205.