Thomas F. Stroock
Thomas F. Stroock | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date New York City, U.S. |
| Died | December 13, 2009 (aged 84) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, diplomat, politician |
| Years active | 1949–1992 |
| Known for | United States Ambassador to Guatemala; Wyoming State Senator |
Thomas F. Stroock (October 10, 1925 – December 13, 2009) was a prominent American entrepreneur, diplomat, and Republican political figure based in Casper, Wyoming.
Early life
Stroock was born in New York City and pursued higher education at Yale University, where he was a contemporary of future U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush and affiliated with the Chi Phi fraternity. Following his graduation, he served in the United States Marine Corps during the Second World War. Subsequently, he relocated to Wyoming in 1949 after being recruited by the Stanolind Oil and Gas Company to settle in Casper.
Career
After establishing himself in Casper, Stroock launched multiple oil enterprises, gaining significant influence within the energy industry. His political career included several non-consecutive terms in the Wyoming State Senate representing Natrona County (1967; 1971–1974; 1979–1989), and he was appointed Senate vice president in 1989. In 1974, Stroock campaigned for Wyoming’s at-large congressional seat in the United States House of Representatives, but was defeated by the incumbent Democrat Teno Roncalio.
In 1989, under President Bush’s administration, Stroock was named United States Ambassador to Guatemala, serving until 1992. His ambassadorship was marked by efforts to address drug trafficking issues and involvement in delicate diplomatic matters, notably the case of American nun Dianna Ortiz, who suffered abduction and torture at the hands of Guatemalan military forces amid accusations of U.S. involvement.
Personal life
Stroock and his wife Marta were parents to four daughters. He passed away on December 13, 2009, at the age of eighty-four.
External links
- Thomas F. Stroock Papers housed at the American Heritage Center
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1925 births
- 2009 deaths
- Businesspeople from New York City
- Politicians from Casper, Wyoming
- Republican Party Wyoming state senators
- American energy industry businesspeople
- Ambassadors of the United States to Guatemala
- Yale University alumni
- United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II
- 20th-century members of the Wyoming Legislature
- 20th-century American businesspeople