Scott Stromme, a 67-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was found dead in his home on May 10, leaving behind a legacy marked by a love for gardening, roller skating, and notably, beekeeping.
His younger sister, Kim Masias, has been answering numerous calls for her brother in the weeks since his passing, as friends and coworkers at Sun City Summerlin remain unaware of his tragic death.
According to family members, Stromme was a man of many interests who fearlessly pursued new activities.
His father, Phillip Stromme, fondly recalls his son’s enthusiasm for life, saying, “If something sounded exciting, he’d be the first in line and had to go check it out.”
This zest for life extended even to his beekeeping hobby, which he had embraced nearly a decade ago.
Phillip expressed disbelief when he discovered Scott unresponsive in his home on Broadriver Drive, especially considering Scott’s adventurous spirit.
The Clark County coroner’s office determined that Scott Stromme died of natural causes attributed to heart disease and emphysema.
However, both Phillip and Kim Masias question whether this conclusion accurately reflects the circumstances of Scott’s death.
At the time of discovery, Phillip had entered the home through an open back door while helping Scott set up a yard sale.
Upon finding Scott slumped in a living room chair, he immediately called for emergency assistance.
When help arrived, paramedics found Scott in his beekeeper’s outfit, albeit without the headpiece and gloves, which were discovered nearby.
His face was notably swollen, raising suspicion about his cause of death.
Initial reports indicated that paramedics suggested an allergic reaction to bee stings may have played a role in his demise.
In addition to beekeeping tools scattered throughout the home, authorities noted an alarming number of dead bees both inside and outside the property.
Nearby, pill bottles containing allergy medication were also found, hinting at a possible history of allergic reactions.
A professional beekeeper was called to the scene and promptly removed the surviving bees.
Family members later learned that the bees identified as Africanized, which are known for their aggressive behavior and propensity to swarm, further complicating the narrative of Scott’s death.
“When we were there still cleaning up stuff, I was still finding bees around,” Kim Masias recounted, emphasizing how different these bees were from the honey bees Scott usually tended to.
Experts like Adrian Fisher, an assistant professor at Arizona State University, clarified that Africanized bees are prevalent in warmer regions but are generally not favored by beekeepers due to their lower honey production.
Fisher explained, “A lot of beekeepers actively try to keep Africanized colonies outside of their apiary or the intermixing between feral Africanized colonies and their managed colonies.”
Scott Stromme had been a maintenance worker at Sun City since 2018 and often intervened when bees posed a problem in the community, working to re-home them at his residence.
Local reports highlighted his dedication to bees, stating, “Scott loves working with bees.
There are times when bees pose a menace to the community and Scott steps in to save the day!”
A small memorial service took place on May 24, and Phillip and Kim stated that no further services are planned.
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.
Reflecting on his son’s character, Phillip remarked, “He got along with everybody,” a sentiment that resonates deeply with those who knew Scott and cherished his adventurous spirit.
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