Robert Tromp

ROBERT L. TROMP IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Robert Lewis Tromp, 80, of Idaho Falls, died March 31, 2008, at his home. He was under the care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho. He was born June 7, 1927, in Portland, Oregon, to Lewis A. Tromp and Thelma Gerfin Tromp. He graduated from San Ramon High School, obtained a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkley, and a master's degree from the University of Idaho at Moscow. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Annette Mitling February 6, 1947, in Reno, Nevada. He was involved in hydrogen warhead testing at Enowetok Atoll in the South Pacific. He worked at the INL as a Chemist and Physicist. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and had served as both an elder and a deacon. He was the Scoutmaster of Troop 9 Boy Scouts for many years. During his life, he enjoyed playing basketball, stamp collecting, playing bridge, camping, backpacking, and mountain climbing. In later years, Bob loved spending time with his grandchildren, especially when he could coax finicky toddlers into eating by playing "who stole my bite?" He and Annette loved traveling, especially if they could bring family along. He enjoyed keeping track of all kinds of sports. Bob was proud of his Dutch heritage and the frugality he attributed to it. Survivors include: Wife: Annette Tromp of Idaho Falls, ID Son: Peter R. Trump of Las Vegas, NV Son: Paul L. Tromp of Zimbabwe Son: Robert M. Tromp of Boise, ID Son: Dirck E. Tromp of Denver, CO Daughter: Patrice Tromp Stonhill of Idaho Falls, ID 17 Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Gene. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at the Idaho Falls First Presbyterian Church, 325 Elm Street, with Reverend Dr. Dennis Falasco officiating. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veteran’s Team and the Idaho Honor Guard. ------------------------------------ Condolences received online: Evan & Caroline Filby efilby@earthlink.net We are sorry to hear of your loss. We both enjoyed working with Bob at the Chem Plant for many years. He was a special treat at retirement and other parties. And we also enjoyed listening to his bridge comments on the bus and sometimes joining the foursome. Please accept our deepest sympathy on your loss. Caroline and Evan Filby Gene and Bonnie Griffin griff3550@msn.com We were neighbors in the New Sweden Area on Pioneer Road. We so enjoyed visiting with Bob at the annual neighborhood Christmas Parties. We are sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Gene and Bonnie Griffin Richard Lee grichardl@cableone.net Bob was a great bridge partner and friend. I will miss him. My heart goes out to Annette and Bob's family. Ben Franklin proposed the following for his tombstone: "Here lies the body of B Franklin, printer, like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding. But the work will not be lost, for it will appear once more in a new and more elegant edition, revised and corrected by the Author." Rich Marty Trillhaase mtrillhaase@postregister.com It wasn't until many years later that I realized what an exceptional Scoutmaster we had in Bob. I think he squeezed 10 years of backpacking into five years of Scouting. He must have had us on the trail every third weekend – at all times of the year -- and like kids, we just took it for granted. It never occurred to us that he might have something else to do than to hang out camping and backpacking with a dozen or so unruly adolescents. Thanks to him, we didn't get caught up in the superficial "values" stuff that you hear so much about in the local Scouting circles. Instead, Bob taught the important things -- how a group of nerdy boys could learn to work together well enough to spend eight days in the wilderness. Those are lifetime skills and they don't come easily at any age. But acquire them and you acquire independence. Oh -- and one more gift. I don’t think I'll ever forget his cheerful refrain -- at the front of the line as we were hiking up another hill: "It's just around the bend, boys." And I can still hear the response from the rear of the line: "Which bend, Mr. Tromp?" God bless. Larry & Gayle Fish lwf@srv.net We want to express our condolences for Bob's passing. We remember him when he attended our stamp club meetings several years ago. Larry & Gayle Garth and Nancy Jones Just wanted you to know we are thinking of you and praying that time will ease the pain of your loss and that the good memories you have of Bob will remain. He was a wonderful man and we feel privileged to have known him. We feel badly about being unable to attend the funeral, but our thoughts were with you. God bless you, Garth and Nancy Jones Robert and Barbara Brugger rbrugger@mind.net Dear Annette, Several days ago we got a short note alerting us to your Bob's death. We were so sorry to read it because we valued Bob as a friend. We then went to the internet and found Bob's obituary and learned more about his life. His and our lives overlapped in Idaho. I remember Bob and the other chemists, i. e. Warren Burgus and Elton Turk being down the hall and around the corner in their labs at the MTR. Some times I would stick my head in to find out what interesting things they were doing. And then there were the MTR Robins. We enjoyed playing basket ball and your Bob was one of our best. I will miss him. Bob Dear Annette, We have many fond memories of you and your family. We especially remember our relaxed visit with you when you stopped to see us in Missouri. What fun to recall old friends. We have appreciated hearing from you each Christmas. We admire and hope to be able to follow your example of making each day count! Barbara