Lt. Cmdr. Walter F. Strobach, USN (Ret.) was a tremendous athlete who earned spots on both the football and baseball teams at the U.S. Naval Academy. He was a family man who adored his wife and children and dedicated the rest of his time to his deep Catholic faith. Strobach passed away in June 2023 at the age of 84. His family donated his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank, where researchers diagnosed him with stage 3 (of 4) CTE. Below, the Strobach family shares Walt’s Legacy Story in honor of his memory.
Walter Strobach was born in Jamaica, N.Y. on March 8, 1939, the son of Walter and Catherine (Keenan) Strobach. He grew up in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens, where he acquired the New York accent he kept his entire life, despite leaving his hometown at 18 to attend the United States Naval Academy.
Before leaving Queens for the Navy, Walt was a three-sport athlete at Brooklyn Technical High School. He excelled particularly in football as a running back known for his grit, determination, and refusal to back down on the field, traits which served him well his entire life. During his senior year, Walt led his team to an undefeated season, winning the Public School Athletic League City Championship in 1955. During this remarkable season, he was the league’s highest scorer, with 127 points from touchdowns and extra points.
Walt’s gridiron exploits earned him a coveted spot on a Navy football team that was a perennial top-10 squad. His senior year, they finished ranked No. 4 in the country, including an appearance in the Orange Bowl. During his college years, he was also a starter on the Navy baseball team. He maintained ties with both teams via alumni events throughout his life.
Walt’s time at the Naval Academy forever left a mark and made him who he was thereafter. He constantly reminisced about his days at the Academy; his love for his alma mater was undeniable. A big part of this love was the fact he had the most important introduction of his life there. It was at a Naval Academy mixer he met his wife of over 60 years, Cookie Shea, herself the daughter of a Naval Academy grad (John D. Shea ’32). She was 17 and he was 19 when they first met. Cookie was in very high demand as a dance partner that night, and as was the custom of the day, he politely cut in with her by offering a memorable line which she never forgot: “Would you like to step off the merry-go-round to dance with me instead?” Together, they had six children and a lifetime of memories.
Those shared memories began Sept. 1, 1962, when the young ensign, fresh from his successful interview with Adm. Hyman Rickover, took a break from his Navy nuclear-powered submarine training to marry Cookie. They settled in Groton, Conn., where they immediately started a family.
Walt’s love for his children was one of his best traits. His playfulness, patience, and genuine affection for his young children and later his grandchildren provided lasting fond memories. Whether it was playing in the waves at the beach, throwing a football in the yard, or wrestling in the family room, Walt clearly found much joy acting like a kid himself as he played with his children.
Walt’s Navy career took him, Cookie, and their brood to many places after Groton: Charleston, S.C., Honolulu, Hawaii, and Pascagoula, Miss. before settling into Virginia Beach, Va. Along the way, Walt served aboard various nuclear submarines, including the USS Aspro, USS Ethan Allen, USS Simon Bolivar, and USS Henry Stimson.
Walt retired from the military in 1981 but never quite walked away from it. Watching his son and three of his grandsons follow him into the Navy gave him much pride and satisfaction and provided endless subject matter as he peppered them with questions.
He worked in real estate and finance after his Navy years, as well as stints teaching business courses and instruction in the emerging computer technology sector. Eventually, Walt and Cookie departed Virginia Beach and made their way to Mechanicsville, Va. to be closer to family. Departing Virginia Beach was bittersweet for them, having lived there for over 30 years. They left behind a lifetime of friendships and ties to the area but did their very best to maintain them.
Walt spent his final days enjoying retirement at home with Cookie, characterized by frequent visits from their adult children and grandchildren, a daily cigar on the back porch, and an occasional hearty meal of nachos and light beer at the local sports bar.
Most importantly to Walt, he spent the majority of his last years focused on his deep Catholic faith. In addition to attending Mass daily, he was extensively involved with the Richmond Diocese Prison Ministry, served on the Parish Council as a Religious Education Instructor, and participated in the Knights of Columbus. He was blessed to receive final sacraments and apostolic pardon while at home in hospice. During this graceful transition, all 17 of his grandkids either called him on his final days or were present to tell him they loved him and were praying for him. He heard everything they said.
Walt passed away peacefully on June 7, 2023, at the age of 84. He was surrounded by his wife of over 60 years and his five adult children. After his passing, his brain was donated to the UNITE Brain Bank, where researchers later diagnosed him with stage 3 (of 4) CTE.
Walt is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Sharon “Cookie” Strobach; their children, Walter F. “Rick” Strobach, Jr., Sharon “Sweetie” Hoioos, Susan Fisher, Stasia Strobach, and Cmdr. Michael Strobach, USNR; as well as 17 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Michael “Michael the First” Strobach.
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