Francis “Wayne” Strobbe was born in Penticton on Feb. 7, 1952. He died suddenly in Clearwater on April 13, 2002, at the age of 50 years.
Wayne is pre-deceased by his father, Frank Strobbe, and his stepfather, Charlie Bond. He leaves to grieve his loving wife Kathy, daughter Kristi, son Danny, mom Betty Bond, brothers Tom (Rita), Bill (Laurie) and Neil (Lou); sisters Gayle (Tim), Diane (Moe) and Carol; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nephews; mom-in-law Iva, father-in-law Doug, sisters-in-law Terry, Deneen and Michele and their families; as well as friends too numerous to list.
Wayne started school in Princeton, then moved with his family to Clearwater in 1960. He graduated from Clearwater Secondary in 1971 and married Donna Cowie in 1975.
In 1984 he married again, this time to his best friend, Kathy Bonar. Their daughter, Kristi, was born in 1984 and then, in 1986, along came son Danny.
Wayne worked and played equally hard. His dad had him hauling gravel at Mahood Lake at age 15. Over the years, Wayne drove for many, including his dad Charlie, Dale Jacobson Sr., Fred Schultz, Myron Smith, Daryl Schell, Ed Buck, Barb Laroche, Jim Sallenbach and Les Scarff.
He was a great husband and a hands-on dad. Wayne touched so many lives through his marriage, sports, work and his day-to-day life. Let’s never forget the example he set for all of us, by being “the nicest guy in B.C.”
A service was held at the Legion Branch 259 community hall in Clearwater on Thursday, April 18.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Danny and Kristi Strobbe education fund at Thompson Valley Savings Credit Union.
He was an incredible man and will be sadly missed by all.