When I met Father Strobel, I was in a bad way. I was on crack cocaine. I came out of prison in 2006 and we hit it off real quick because he’s a very lovable person and able to understand the people’s problems.
I stayed with Room In The Inn for two years until I had a place to live in a two bedroom apartment on Shelby. The thing is, I was doing great. But I got back on crack cocaine two weeks after I moved in because my neighbor blew some in my face and it triggered me. Soon after, I found myself eating out of garbage cans, stealing and burglarizing. When I stole from my family, I knew I had a problem. So, I found myself on the streets. And in 2007 I made them lock me up to get off drugs. I’ve told you that story before, but what I didn’t tel you was that when I got out in 2012 I went back to Room In The Inn and was accepted back into their program. Eventually I moved into one of their apartments and that’s where I live today.
When I met Father Strobel we sung oldies together. We sung “Last Kiss” and other songs from the late 60s, early 70s. He had a wonderful voice.
Before he got real sick he did an Easter service, and I asked him if I could sing a solo for the service. I sang “Softly and Tenderly.” This was about four years ago before the pandemic. Thing is, when I sung that song, he said, “William, when you sung that song I didn’t think you could hold that note, but you did and you had perfect pitch.” In the next service we sang, “If I had a hammer” together.
They are holding a service at the baseball stadium for all of us homeless people who wanted to send him off. He was quite well loved and super respected. He’s got a big statue at Room In The Inn and somebody put a bunch of flowers on it. That’s love.
Father Strobel was the most forgiving person. He showed more love than anyone I’ve ever met in my life. He had open arms to everyone. He didn’t care who you were, what you did, nothing bothered him. He loved all. He loved pets too. He was one of the most gracious men I’ve met in my life. I’ve been through quite a few services in my life, but I got more out of his services than any others because the way he treats people. I could feel it in my heart.
Three years ago, before he really got sick, he came to me and asked me to pray for him. I gave him special prayers every day.
We would also do a group prayer before the winter shelter opened each year, and I remember he was always in the crowd with us. Even though he had his own office, he loved to be among us. He was quiet until he had something to say, and then he wasn’t afraid to speak up. He was like me in that way. Except one thing: he knew when to quit, and I don’t!