Robert Richard Stroud Jr., 84
Robert Richard Stroud Jr., 84, known to everyone as Bob or Bobby, died peacefully at home in Acton on August 27, 2026. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Bob was the beloved only child of the late Robert R. Stroud and Caroline E. Stroud. He brought joy, humor, and steady kindness to the lives of all who knew him.
Bob graduated from Trinity-Pawling School in 1961, Trinity College in 1965, and Columbia Business School in 1966. Camp Dudley, an all-boys summer camp on Lake Champlain, held a special place in his heart. He spent 13 summers there, living by the “The Other Fellow First” motto and forming lifelong friendships. It was also where he was working the summer he began dating Lynn Tuach, whom he married in 1967. He later served four years in the U.S. Air Force on Andrews Air Force base, in purchasing, supporting Air Force One and the White House.
Bob and Lynn settled in Cincinnati, where he built a 27-year career in corporate purchasing at Procter & Gamble. Summers were spent in Siasconset on Nantucket Island, riding the waves at Madequecham, golfing near Sankaty Head, giving friends historical tours of the old whaling village, and watching the sunset from the moors. Nantucket was a place they treasured, and Bob carried it with him year-round in a wardrobe defined by “Nantucket reds.” Vacation was never far away, as winters meant dips in the Caribbean waters and rum cocktails on the island of Virgin Gorda, first together and later with children and grandchildren.
Bob embraced retirement with curiosity and enthusiasm. His warm smile was easy to find behind a camera, on the tennis court, at the grill, or enjoying an oyster shooter. He loved researching trips to Europe, renting houses, and discovering the best local cheese, wine, and butcher shops. He was also particularly good at napping, a skill he happily passed down.
In 2015, Bob and Lynn moved to Acton to be closer to family, which meant everything to him. Bob, Lynn, and their only child, Carrie, were a close-knit trio. When Carrie married Jim Coutre of Acton, Bob was delighted to welcome another man into the family — other than the cat, as he liked to joke. He adored his grandchildren, Olivia of Tampa, Florida, and Porter of New York City. From early-morning school pickups, for which he would arrive 20 minutes early, and sideline cheers to Celtics games, adulting advice, and daily updates, he remained proudly involved. As Olivia became an art teacher and Porter began his finance career, Bob loved following their lives, often sharing his own funny stories and experiences, many of which carried a useful piece of advice. He ended every call with, “Love you.”
To his family, Bob was simply the best. He and Lynn were true partners, sharing a marriage marked by devotion, humor, and remarkable harmony. He showed those around him how to be a loving husband, an extraordinary father, and an affectionate grandfather. His pride in his family showed in everything he did, and his love and support were unconditional. He made all their lives better.
Services will be held Saturday, September 12, at 2 p.m. in Duvall Chapel at Newbury Court, 80 Deaconess Road.
Donations in his memory may be made to Open Table, P.O. Box 42, Acton, MA 01742, or to ’Sconset Trust, P.O. Box 821, Siasconset, MA, 02564.
Arrangements are under the care of Acton Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, concordfuneral.com.
