Obituary of Gregg Layman Strohmeier

Gregg Layman Strohmeier was 65 years old on May 8, 2015. Born in 1950 and proceeded in death by his parents, Donald and Verna Strohmeier. He was survived by his brother Jim of Duluth and his loving family, his wife of 34 years, Sandi, children Robert and Rebecca and granddaughter Peyton Joy. Gregg was a devoted man to his family, his church, his passions and the people he cared for most. Born in Minneapolis, he grew up in St. Louis Park with many of his lifelong friends from Cedar Lake Elementary to St. Louis Park High School. Some of these were friends that he maintained for over 60 years. When he went to college, Gregg wanted to go into the astronaut program. NASA was winding down in the Apollo program and the Shuttle was only a dream. So he decided he wanted to graduate with a degree that met his passion of astronomy where he created and was the first to graduate from Mankato State College with a Bachelors in Space Science. However, his father needed him more than astronomy and he went back to Minneapolis to join his brother as the co-owner of Pierson Wilcox Electric from 1977 to 1984. When his son Robert was born, he went to work for a longtime family friend at Williams Electric. In 1996, he further followed a long time passion of his love for firearms when he went to work for Federal Arms. He was an avid gun collector, a passion that he shared with his father. He decided to change his direction to another long time passion he got from his father, coin collection. He then went to work for Investment Rarities as a gold and silver broker. He loved the people he worked with including people those who were his customers for many years and relied on his advice. He had other passions and values that were his church, hunting and the work of the Boy Scouts. He always wanted to give back. Through the years he has played a major role in Boy Scouts which started as his son’s troop leader. When his son left the Scouts, he continued and became a Commissioner. Even when that was done, he offered his cabin to his friend Dolf and his troop as they did weekend survival skills camp. He worked with and was chairman of the properties committee at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park for many years. Gregg was a Free Mason. He pursued his passions and what was important to him. Gregg was an also avid hunter and gun collector. A lifetime member of the NRA, he was a firm believer in Second Amendment Rights and was writing a book about Colt firearms. More than anything, he loved spending time at his cabin in northern Minnesota with his family and friends. Built in the 40s by his parents, it was always a retreat to nature and time to spend with his family and friends. He valued his family above everything else and the Strohmeier house was always open and welcoming to the friends of his children. They too are grieving the loss of this very special man. He was loved by many and always cared more about his family than anything else. Services will be held at Westwood Lutheran Church, 9001 Cedar Lake Rd, St. Louis Park, MN. Interment will be at Lake Kego in the fall where his ashes will be placed in a BioUrn so that he will grow into a mighty oak, representing the strength he always provided his family. He will be missed for his gentle, kind spirit and his devotion to those he loved.