Thomas J. Strobl

Thomas Joseph Strobl – Loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away suddenly at the age of 81 with the love of his life, Kathy, by his side. Tom Strobl was a legend. He was the kind of man you want to be like. He was the epitome of a gentleman and everyone's cheerleader. An accomplished attorney, an exceptional bowler, a great golfer, and an avid boater. Throughout Tom's life, his friends and family benefited from his sharp mind, active lifestyle, intense engagement, and his quick wit. His last days were spent celebrating his daughter's birthday with family and visiting his favorite places on earth, the Detroit Golf Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, and his cherished Thunderbowl Lanes, and he got in one last visit to the family cottage on Lake Huron in Lakeport on Sunday.
Tom Strobl was born on January 15, 1942 in Detroit to the late Joseph and Marion Strobl and is the older brother to Jim Strobl (Chris), the late Donald Strobl (Laura Gill), Betty Wills (Bill) and Bill Strobl. He graduated from DeLaSalle High School and fell in love with his wife Kathy when they were just teenagers. They married on August 7, 1965, had three daughters, and spent almost fifty-eight years of marriage together. He was the father to Pam Ritter (Dan Vinch), Sandy Strobl and Katie Wendt (Mike). His proudest legacy is his grandchildren Max Ritter (Marisa), Jake Wendt, and Sydney Wendt, all of whom are great golfers due to his dedication every summer at the cottage, spring break at Innisbrook, and Sunday lessons with Grandpa during the winter.
Tom raised his family in Grosse Pointe Park and moved to Bloomfield Hills after he opened his law practice Strobl PLLC in 1989. Tom is an alumnus of Michigan State University, where he earned his BA in Business, the University of Michigan where he earned his MBA and Detroit College of Law where he earned his law degree while working full-time at the Bank of the Commonwealth and raising his family. He valued education and made sure his daughters and grandchildren were the best versions of themselves as they could be. Tom never retired. Not sure he even knew that was an option. He was a practitioner of law by day and a bowling proprietor by night. He worked out every day. At 80 he joined Equinox by his house and worked with a trainer a few times a week. He was fit. He was always working on his golf swing and had every gadget available to ensure he would be ready for the spring golf season.
Tom was known as "Good Time Tom" to the Butternut crew (the family and friends at the cottage). He was always up for a round of golf, a boat ride on his beloved Mariah, a great meal, and of course an intense battle of euchre. He and Kathy were unbeatable when they played as partners. Tom also loved to read. He kept up with news through the Wall Street Journal and read political and historical books. Not sure how he fit the time in. But most importantly, he read various pop culture publications to ensure he was on top of all the celebrity gossip.
He supported Catholic education and several charitable organizations, most important to him was Angels' Place where he served as a member of the Board of Directors.
Tom will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
The family will receive friends at A.J. Desmond and Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd., Troy (between Maple and Big Beaver) Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 1pm-8pm.
Funeral Mass is Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 10 am at Holy Name Catholic Church 630 Harmon St. Birmingham. Visitation at church begins at 9 am.
Tom will be laid to rest beside his parents at the family plot in the Lakeport Cemetery located in Lakeport Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial tributes to Angels' Place at https://www.angelsplace.com/donate or The Thunderbowl Foundation at http://www.thunderbowl.org/