Obituary for Arthur L. Strobel
Arthur Leon Strobel
February 4, 1926 – October 13, 2020
On October 13, 2020, Arthur Leon Strobel of Joplin, MO, age 94, quietly and peacefully passed from this life.
Arthur was born February 4, 1926, in Stoddard County, Missouri to Mary Jane and Freeman Strobel. He was their beloved son and older brother to his two sisters, Ruth and Deloris. Both parents and sisters are now deceased.
In 1944 upon graduation from Advance High School, Arthur joined the U.S. Army and was eventually sent to Europe to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. The Battle at the Remagen Bridge that Arthur was part of helped in bringing an end to the war in Europe. He then spent a year’s occupation in Germany before returning home.
Upon his return to Missouri, Arthur met a beautiful young woman, Ina Jean Murphy, who became his wife on November 28, 1947. For the next 70 years they were devoted and inseparable husband and wife. Ina Jean preceded him in death on May 15, 2018.
Arthur is survived by a daughter, Barbara Armstrong, Excelsior Springs, MO; a son, Forrest Strobel and wife Carol, Rolla, MO; 2 grandsons, Matthew Strobel, Atlanta GA, and Luke Strobel and wife Safiyya, New York City, NY. Surviving also are many nieces and nephews along with 2 sisters-in-law: Helen Wright of Poplar Bluff, MO, and Faye Ghannon of Mesa, AZ.
During his life, Arthur completed a double Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Southeast Missouri, a Master Degree from University of Arkansas, and post graduate work at Emporia State University, University of Oklahoma, University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri-Rolla.
For the next 40+ years, Arthur was a science educator. In the first part of his career, he taught physics, chemistry, biology, and math in public high schools in southeastern Missouri. When Arthur and his family moved to Joplin in 1963, he had accepted a position teaching physics at the junior college that later became Missouri Southern State College. Arthur continued teaching college physics at MSSC until his retirement in 1996.
Arthur could always be counted on to be a sponsor for Science Clubs, judging Science Fairs, or sponsorship of the college Chess Club. Arthur will be fondly remembered by his family for sharing stories of his childhood, his relatives, World War II, of playing World Championship checkers and chess, of fast cars and motorcycles, and world events and politics. All stories ended with a chuckle or laugh and a big twinkle from his blue eyes. Arthur was a longtime member of the Mount Hope Church of Christ.
It is with sadness that we bid farewell to another World War II veteran from the Greatest Generation.
Graveside services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends are welcome during regular business hours on Wednesday and Thursday until service time.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.
February 4, 1926 – October 13, 2020
On October 13, 2020, Arthur Leon Strobel of Joplin, MO, age 94, quietly and peacefully passed from this life.
Arthur was born February 4, 1926, in Stoddard County, Missouri to Mary Jane and Freeman Strobel. He was their beloved son and older brother to his two sisters, Ruth and Deloris. Both parents and sisters are now deceased.
In 1944 upon graduation from Advance High School, Arthur joined the U.S. Army and was eventually sent to Europe to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. The Battle at the Remagen Bridge that Arthur was part of helped in bringing an end to the war in Europe. He then spent a year’s occupation in Germany before returning home.
Upon his return to Missouri, Arthur met a beautiful young woman, Ina Jean Murphy, who became his wife on November 28, 1947. For the next 70 years they were devoted and inseparable husband and wife. Ina Jean preceded him in death on May 15, 2018.
Arthur is survived by a daughter, Barbara Armstrong, Excelsior Springs, MO; a son, Forrest Strobel and wife Carol, Rolla, MO; 2 grandsons, Matthew Strobel, Atlanta GA, and Luke Strobel and wife Safiyya, New York City, NY. Surviving also are many nieces and nephews along with 2 sisters-in-law: Helen Wright of Poplar Bluff, MO, and Faye Ghannon of Mesa, AZ.
During his life, Arthur completed a double Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Southeast Missouri, a Master Degree from University of Arkansas, and post graduate work at Emporia State University, University of Oklahoma, University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri-Rolla.
For the next 40+ years, Arthur was a science educator. In the first part of his career, he taught physics, chemistry, biology, and math in public high schools in southeastern Missouri. When Arthur and his family moved to Joplin in 1963, he had accepted a position teaching physics at the junior college that later became Missouri Southern State College. Arthur continued teaching college physics at MSSC until his retirement in 1996.
Arthur could always be counted on to be a sponsor for Science Clubs, judging Science Fairs, or sponsorship of the college Chess Club. Arthur will be fondly remembered by his family for sharing stories of his childhood, his relatives, World War II, of playing World Championship checkers and chess, of fast cars and motorcycles, and world events and politics. All stories ended with a chuckle or laugh and a big twinkle from his blue eyes. Arthur was a longtime member of the Mount Hope Church of Christ.
It is with sadness that we bid farewell to another World War II veteran from the Greatest Generation.
Graveside services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends are welcome during regular business hours on Wednesday and Thursday until service time.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.