Egidius (Gied) M. Stroombeek passed on February 6, 2014 at Hospice of the Western Reserve in Euclid, Ohio. Mr. Stroombeek was born on September 6, 1925 in Heerlen, Netherlands. Prior to immigrating to the US in 1952, Gied was trained in Boskoop, Holland as a propagator. Upon his arrival he was employed as a propagator at Warner Nursery in Willoughby, Ohio where he met his future wife and eventual business partner Johanna (Ann) Newman who was also born in Heerlen, Netherlands.

Gied and Ann were married in 1958, and soon purchased property on Green Rd in Madison, Ohio and began Roemer Nursery, Inc.. The name “Roemer” came from the traditional Dutch drinking glass – a sign of hospitality. Roemer still operates today and includes a Nursery Display Garden that was well known in national and international plant circles in which he and his wife Ann envisioned and was later realized by he and his second wife, Carolyn (Charles) Stroombeek.

Gied and Ann designed and built their own home adjacent to the nursery property which included their one of a kind indoor garden, where they lived with their two children, Hadey and Terry.

Gied was internationally known and active in many organizations related to propagation and growing. His first love being, The International Plant Propagators Society, where he was awarded the prestigious Fellow Award. He was a Board Member and Past President of the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, where he was awarded the Bronze medal for his contributions to the Chapter, and was one of the Board of Directors of Agricultural Technical Institute, Wooster, Ohio. He was also member of the American Holly Society and many other nursery associations.

Gied was always athletic. His first competitive sport was ice skating on the canals in Holland. In later years in the U.S., he was a member of the Runners Club and won many awards for 10K’s, Half Marathons and Marathons where his numerous wins in his age bracket dubbed him the nickname “The Flying Dutchman.” Gied ran his last race at age 79. He also was an avid swimmer. He enjoyed his daily 4:00 am swim and workouts at the Madison YMCA, up until recent years.

Gied was a gentleman, a scholar, a devotee of history and world politics. He will be remembered for his roaring voice and Dutch accent, his passion for plants and his caring generous spirit with everyone he met.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Ann Newman Stroombeek; his parents; son, Terrance Stroombeek and his sister, Tonia Stroombeek. He is survived by his daughter, Hadey Stoombeek, Columbus; his “special daughters”, Kim Beitel, Columbus and Lisa Ungers, Perry; grandson, Jesse Stroombeek, Florida; daughter-in-law, Carrie Stroombeek, Florida; loving caregiver, Robin Hirsch, Eastlake and his dear friend and former wife, Carolyn (Charles) Stroombeek and family.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Monday, February 10, 2014 at THE BEHM FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 26 River Street, Madison, Ohio. There will a funeral service to celebrate Gied’s life at 12 noon on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110-2602 or The Holden Arboretum, 9550 Sperry Rd., Willoughby, OH 44094.