Robert (Bob or Bobbie as he was known to his family) was born April 18, 1945 in Clinton, OK. His family moved to the Los Angeles, CA area when he was around 6 years of age and he was raised primarily in Downey, CA. It was here that Bob learned to love the beach, and the ocean with its many wonders to a growing boy. Bob was also, quite the prankster and never passed up a chance to tease his sisters, which is one thing that never changed during his lifetime; even on his sickbed he would tease them. Bob joined the Navy right after high school and spent some time in Vietnam. Like so many others, he was a changed man when he returned home. However, the love of nature never left Bob and he tried to pass that love and appreciation on to his daughters whenever possible. Bob liked to take his children camping and on hikes where he patiently answered their questions concerning the trees and other foliage growing around them. Bob enjoyed even the simple things like walking in the rain with his sister; he found something to love about not just the ocean, but also the mountains, and the deserts. He found beauty in them all and tried to capture that beauty in his paintings. Bob also had a case of wanderlust that kept his traveling a large portion of his life, so he got to see much of the country; he has lived in many places and held many jobs, most of them physical as he loved to work with his hands. Bob always knew that even if his family may not know just where he was at any certain time, he had always had a home to return to due to the deep, abiding love his family had for him. Bob's equally deep love for his family kept him returning to them no matter where he wandered. Bob has participated in many activities during his lifetime. He has hunted in the past but found that he would rather watch wildlife than to shoot it. His favorite pastime was fishing; he loved to find a good stream or lake in which to try his luck. He has tried ice skating where he said he spent "most of the time on his backside"; he attempted snow skiing, but ended up as he said "running into a Christmas tree", so he limped back to the lodge and spent the rest of the day with the snow bunnies. Bob may not have always been successful, but he would willingly attempt an unfamiliar activity. Bob's wandering stopped in 1995 when he came to visit his grandmother and met Virginia. Bob and Virginia married July 11, 1998 in Wheeler, TX and have resided in Elk City since that time. Bob settled down, no longer wanting to travel, and was happy just to stay home with Virginia. He enjoyed barbecuing, especially when family visited. Although Bob has left us in this life, we must remember that he enjoyed life, he loved his family, and would want us to celebrate his life and not mourn his departure. God willing we will be together again in the future. Bob was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Jessie Childs; his mother and stepfather, Juanita and Ron Fellows; one sister, Johnnie Kinsman; his father. Robert T Strong; one grandchild and one great nephew. Bob was survived by his wife, Virginia of the home; two sisters: Jackie Bragg with husband Chuck from Casper, WY; and Jodie Splawn with husband David from Tyler, TX. Two daughters: Annette Seeton with husband Kenny from Bellflower, CA; and Tracey Shannon Bowden from Portland, OR; one son: Jason Strong from Puerto Rico. Four grandchildren: Alicia Seeton from Bellflower, CA, and Trevor Newhart, Hannah Newhart, and Alec Bowden all from Portland, OR.; as well as one niece, four nephews, and their families.