Roy O. Gromme

Roy O. Gromme, age 84, of Oconomowoc, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Friday, November 24, 2017. Roy is survived by his loving wife Sue of 55 years; his children Alison (Timothy Fisher) Gromme and Andrea (Scott) Baxter; his sister Anne Marie Gromme and many more family and friends. Roy is preceded in death by his parents Owen and Anne Gromme and his daughter Helen Gromme. Roy was a supporter of many cultural, and philanthropic organizations. His participation through his ideas and physical efforts in a variety of projects have contributed to the positive development of the greater community in which we all live. He had a lifelong love of the out of doors, most recently he actively collaborated with the Ice Age Trail. Roy enjoyed being active outside, bicycling, crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and appreciating nature. An avid hunter, and outdoorsman, he was a champion for conservation of our natural resources, namely land, and the animals that live there. Roy was an educator, starting his career as a Biology teacher at Nicolet High School, sharing his love of nature, and leading an outing club with his wife, Susie. He had an important impact on many of his students who still remember him to this day. As an enterprising young man, he bought the family farm near Briggsville, Wisconsin. He made many improvements to it over the years, planting a Christmas tree farm, and Red Pine plantation, making more open water in the wetlands for migrating waterfowl, stocking ponds with trout, naturalizing open prairie, and generally creating a beautiful spot for family and friends alike. Roy’s father, wildlife artist Owen J Gromme, was his first influence. Roy donated much of his father’s art to various museums, and organizations in Wisconsin spreading an awareness of the importance of protecting our natural world. Roy had an adventuresome spirit, living in India, and travelling to Costa Rica, as well as visiting many places in the US. As a graduate of University of Wisconsin Madison, he acted as an advisor for his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. He affectionately referred to the members, as ‘his boys’. Roy, also, had a great love of Opera, and the symphony. He was a generous benefactor, and sat on a few boards in both Chicago and Milwaukee. His love of nature extended to gardening. He created beauty wherever he went. Private family services were held. The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at AngelsGrace Hospice and Ice Age Trail Alliance for the loving care shown to Roy. Donations in Roy's name may be made to AngelsGrace Hospice or to the Ice Age Trail Alliance.