Robert Strong

Robert Eugene Strong was born in Mitchell, South Dakota on February 13, 1936. He and his family lived in White Lake, 36 miles west. He peacefully passed away in Lewisville, Texas on June 6, 2026. He was 90.

When he was 18, he boarded a bus and traveled to Rapid City to join the Marines. Just as his older brother had done. When he arrived the Marine recruiter office was closed. He looked across the street and saw the Air Force recruiter was open and thus began a military life in the United States Air Force.

From there he went to boot camp in California and then to his first (of many) base station, Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, Louisiana. There he met Kitty Sue Strong (Milner) and they were married. They had two sons. They were then stationed in Newfoundland, Montana, California, and New Mexico. He also completed an assignment for logistics in Thailand during the Vietnam War. A true military life. He retired from the Air Force in 1974 at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico. He used his GI bill to get a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University. With that he started his second career path in Civil Service. In total he spent 20 years in the Air Force and 30 years in Civil Service. Both he and his wife were part of the SR-71 program in the early 80”s in Southern California.

Robert met Louella Marie Higgins (Lou) in his retirement community in 2018, and in February 2019 they married. They were a very cute couple and were like teenaged kids in love. Lou was a bright light in Robert’s life. They enjoyed 6 wonderful years of being best friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Henry (Hank) Strong, his brothers Richard and Gaylord, his wife Kitty Sue Strong, his oldest son Robby Strong, as well as sweet Lou.

He is survived by his youngest son David Strong, his wife Wathen and sons Cheston and Brandon (Williams). His grandchildren Chris Godsey and his wife Marisol, Stephanie Strong, Michelle Roybal and husband Dane. His great-grandchildren, Cadence (Stephanie), Lincoln (Michelle), Jada and Christopher (Chris).