Robert C. Strohmeier

Robert “Stroh” Charles Strohmeier Robert C. Strohmeier, 89, passed away surrounded by family and friends on Monday, April 11, 2016. He was born March 10, 1927 in Riverside, California to Charles C. and Vera L. Strohmeier. To his final days, he enjoyed the three most important passions in his life: a love for family, a devotion to art and an appreciation for the beauty in nature. Robert, or “Stroh”, as he was known to many, was an early innovator in direct color lithography, beginning a lifelong exploration of printmaking during his years as a student at Los Angeles renowned Chouinard Art Institute (now California School of the Arts), from 1946 to 1949. Through Mme. Chouinard’s influence, he received a position as a printer’s devil to Lynton R. Kistler, an early pioneer in hand printed art lithographs. Many internationally acclaimed artists served as visiting faculty, including Jean Charlot, Rico LeBrun and Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros, all of whom, were early and profound influences on Strohmeier and his work. In the early 1950s, Stroh pursued art degrees at California College of Arts and Crafts in the San Francisco Bay area. His attitude and approach to making art were shaped by the teaching of Sabro Hasegawa and by the influence of his master teacher, and later teaching colleague at CCAC, Richard Diebenkorn. At this time Stroh was also the second Bay Area Printmakers Society President, which became the California Printmakers Society - the oldest continuously operating association of printmakers in the United States. Stroh’s early exploration and free experimentation with art continued to be a driving force of his creations, resulting in the use of many diverse mediums. His works have been exhibited nationally in prominent institutions such as the United States National Museum, San Francisco Museum of Fine Art, Seattle Art Museum, Denver Art Museum, and in various private galleries and collections located across the U.S. A selection of Stroh’s work has recently been included in the collection of Colorado Artists in the newly expanded Kirkland Museum. Stroh was one of the first teachers and founders of the Visual Arts department at the newly formed Metropolitan State College of Denver, (now University). His passion for Art infused his dynamic lectures and engaged his students throughout his long teaching career. Among his friends and family, he was known as warm and exuberant, sharing his wit and ironic sense of humor. An avid lover of nature and learning, Stroh thrived in the atmosphere of his extensive garden, on the water in a sailboat or along a stream, fly-fishing. He truly sought to get the most out of the adventure of life. Widely loved, Stroh will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Stroh is survived and dearly loved by his wife, Beverly French-Strohmeier, Lakewood, Colorado; three daughters, Hali and Tara, Orange County, California, and Krista Davis, Lone Tree, Colorado; two sons, Scott, Denver, Colorado, and Gregg and his partner, David Bachofer, Boston, Massachusetts; one step-daughter, Michele and her husband Dennis Bauer, Denver, Colorado; one step-son, Lance French and his wife Piper, Broomfield, Colorado. He also leaves his nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and his sister, Bernice Karnesky of Manton, California. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be given to Denver Hospice.