Robert (Bob) Jack Stromgren

life story

Bob was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, relative, friend and co-worker.

About Bob Stromgren

Robert (Bob) Jack Stromgren, 79, formerly of Andover, MN, passed away peacefully with his wife Lucy of "58" years, by his side. Bob was a veteran of the Army National Guard (1965-71) and was honorably discharged. Bob was a loving husband, wonderful father and grandfather, relative, friend and co-worker.

Bob was a hard worker as he learned that at an early age growing up on a farm. He enjoyed being around the animals and taking care of them which taught him responsibility as well. He started working at the age of 12 at a service station pumping gas, washing cars, fixing tires and changing oil on evenings and weekends. He saved up money to buy himself his first car when he graduated which was a 1958 Chevy Biscayne and he paid it in full. He graduated from Anoka High School in 1962 and then moved to Minneapolis with some buddies.

He met and dated a gal named Lucy who graduated from Anoka in 1961, and they were actually in the same confirmation class and didn't even realize it. They got married in June of 1965, and had their first daughter in 1966. They added 2 more children, a son in 1969, and a daughter in 1974, to complete their family. They always had pets especially cats throughout his life.

Bob started working for General Mills in 1965 in the pilot plant in Golden Valley. He was transferred over to the Betty Crocker Division and eventually became a Senior Research Food Scientist. He was known by many as " Mr. Betty Crocker" or "Mr. Frosting" in the field. A few highlights of his career ranged from formulation of what he called then "Fruit Leather" to now what is known as " Fruit Roll-Up's." He worked on many shelf stable desserts such as cakes and brownies to name a couple. The majority of the years he spent his time on Ready To Spread (RTS) frosting products. Bob and his team's biggest accomplishment was the development of the Whipped Frosting Line which had been thought about, but nothing was done with it for 30 years by anyone in the industry. The Whipped Frosting project was was one of the most technically difficult projects Bob and the team had ever worked on. It took 1-1/2 years to start it up in the plant and six months to get the product to run smoothly. It became a very popular product and a big success for the company.

In 1996, Betty Crocker Whipped Frosting was named Product of the Year for new products in the Food & Beverage Marketing 8th Annual Brammy Awards. The team received the company Championship Award and had their pictures put on the Wheaties Box which was a big deal for all of the team. A few months before Bob retired, he received the Bell Achievement Award For Lifetime Achievement from the company. He felt it was a good way to finish his 34 years career and start the next. Bob retired in the year 2000, but couldn't resist the challenge and offer to be a consultant for Betty Crocker for a couple more years.

Bob enjoyed family time with his wife and kids. They went up to their lake cabin in Palisade as often as possible to enjoy fishing and boating. The photo by his picture shows the beauty we all enjoyed up north. He was a great dad and loved spending time with his kids and grandchildren. Bob and Lucy bought a trailer so they could do some travelling, have more room up north for visitors, and going to country music concerts as well with it. Bob also enjoyed photography and was in a photography club with his father-in-law for awhile. Bob and Lucy enjoyed antiques and doing shows for many years, but acquired other hobbies when they retired as it was a dying industry. Bob's favorite hobby was investments and he was also the investment club president while he was still working at General Mills for awhile. He was also a handy man, loved reading and outdoor activities as well. Bob was a kind, wise, humble, intelligent, driven, fun loving, humorous, and also a man of faith. When he was a kid he wanted to become a minister but God had other plans for him.

Bob is deeply missed and survived by his wife, Lucille (Lucy) Stromgren; daugher, Deborah(Deb) & (Tom) Braesch; son, Brian (Amy) Stromgren; daugher, Sherri Stromgren; grandchildren, Samantha, Evan, Melyssa Braesch; step grandson, Drew Dmytruk; half -sister and half-brother; other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his birth mother, Geneva Annonson; parents, Henry & Mabel Stromgren; father and mother-in-law, Randolph & Helen Peterson; brother-in-law, Gerry Elliott; and many others in Heaven.

A special thanks to the nurses and staff at Stoney River Memory Care in Ramsey for taking good care of Bob.

The family would love to hear comments or stories in the guest book about Bob located at the end of this page. Thank you all.

memorial service

Service held at Lord of Life Church

April 5, 2024

14501 Nowthen Blvd, Ramsey, MN 55303

Visitation is at 2PM, Funeral service at 3PM,with meal following