Scott Stromme, a 67-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was recently found dead in his home, leaving behind a legacy of adventure and love for beekeeping.
His sister, Kim Masias, has been receiving an influx of calls for him since his passing, with many callers unaware of the tragic news.
Scott Stromme’s body was discovered at his residence on May 10.
His father, Phillip Stromme, revealed that Scott was known for his diverse array of hobbies, including gardening and roller skating, and was always eager to explore new interests.
“If something sounded exciting, he’d be the first in line and had to go check it out,” said Phillip Stromme.
A passion for beekeeping led Scott to take up the hobby nearly ten years ago, as noted by his 90-year-old father.
Despite the inherent dangers of beekeeping, Scott was never one to shy away from challenges.
It was with disbelief that Phillip Stromme found his son unresponsive in his home, prompting a call to emergency services.
Upon arrival, the authorities pronounced Scott dead at the scene, where he was found slumped in a living room chair.
The Clark County coroner’s office later ruled that Stromme’s death was due to natural causes, linked to a combination of heart disease and emphysema.
However, both Phillip and Kim remain skeptical about this conclusion.
As Phillip Stromme recalled, he entered his son’s home through an open back door and immediately recognized the severity of the situation.
He also noted that Scott was dressed in a full beekeeping outfit at the time, with only the headpiece and gloves absent, raising questions about the circumstances of his death.
Additionally, Scott’s face exhibited severe swelling, which led first responders to suspect he may have suffered an allergic reaction to bee stings.
A wide array of beekeeping tools and a significant number of dead bees were found surrounding the property, alongside pill bottles for allergy medication.
The family enlisted a professional beekeeper to collect and remove the surviving bees, which were reported to be identified as Africanized, known for their aggressive nature.
Experts characterize Africanized bees as more prone to swarming compared to their European counterparts, a trait that has earned them a notorious reputation since their introduction in the U.S. during the 1990s.
Adrian Fisher, an assistant professor at Arizona State University, confirmed that Africanized bees often inhabit warmer regions of the South and Southwest but are rarely kept by beekeepers due to their lower honey production.
“Whether they’re Africanized or European bees, there is always a risk because they are animals and they have instincts and minds of their own,” emphasized Fisher.
Scott was known within the community for his love of beekeeping, as highlighted in a 2023 profile in Sun City’s Link Magazine.
Employed as a maintenance worker since 2018, he often retrieved bees reported by fellow residents and worked to relocate them to his home, hoping they would aid in pollinating his garden.
Although he did not permanently house bee colonies, he managed to keep some for extended periods.
The magazine quoted, “Scott loves working with bees; there are times when bees pose a menace to the community, and Scott steps in to save the day!”
On May 24, a small memorial service was held to honor Scott Stromme; however, no further services are planned, according to his father and sister.
Scott Stromme, a veteran of the Army Corps of Engineers and originally from west Michigan, is survived by his father, sister, and brother-in-law Fred Koola.
“He got along with everybody,” said Phillip Stromme, reflecting on his son’s ability to connect with those around him.
The loss of Scott Stromme is deeply felt by his family and community, as they remember a man who embraced life and the beauty of nature through his love of beekeeping.
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