Robert B. Throm

August 23, 1931 - January 2, 2021

Robert Baker Throm, 89 , of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, died on Saturday, January 2nd 2021. He will be remembered as a loving husband; dedicated father and grandfather; proud Marine; and successful businessman. He was raised in Norfolk, Virginia, a town he remembered fondly throughout his life and the place where his beloved Aunt Elda lived for many years. Enlisting in the Marine Corps on November 10th 1949, he rose from Private to Staff Sergeant before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1956, and retiring as Major in 1971. In Korea he served with the Seventh Marines., and in Vietnam with the 1st AmTrac Battalion as Executive Officer, Battalion Commander, and "A" Company Commander. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V," Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," two Purple Hearts, two Combat Action Ribbons, The Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star, and the Korean Order of Military Merit Eulji Cordon Medal. Major Throm was an active member of the Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania and the Valley Forge Marine Corps League Detachment. He was Commandant of Pennsylvania in 1978 and the 1984 Marine of the Year both in Pennsylvania and nationally. In 2000 he commissioned a stained-glass window for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island Chapel memorializing thirteen of his fellow AmGrunts killed on January 20th 1968 at the start of the Tet Offensive. He was a supporter of the AmGrunt Memorial Fund Committee, National Museum of the Marine Corps, and the Marine Corps University Foundation. After his retirement from the Marine Corps, Major Throm began a second career as a successful businessman and entrepreneur. He was Vice President and General Manager at Aloette Cosmetics and was instrumental in the company's initial public offering. Major Throm was known for his love of backyard barbecues and family gatherings at his favorite restaurants. His baked beans and chicken wings, both made with his signature barbecue sauce, were legendary among family members. Survivors include his wife of 66 years Patricia Ann (nee Shea) of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania whom he met at his first duty station, the Naval Supply Depot in Philadelphia; four children, Cynthia Kwasniewski (Tony) of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, Kimberly Throm (Stephen) of Clinton Corners, New York, Lindsay Throm (Philip) of Vienna, Virginia, and Robert B. Throm II of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; four grandsons, Anthony and Stephen Kwasniewski and Jackson and Connor Simon; and numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral mass on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 10:30 am at St. Basil the Great R.C. Church, 2300 Kimberton Road, Kimberton. Officiating will be the Rev. Gary T. Pacitti. Friends will be received from 10:00 - 10:30 am. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Marine Corps University Foundation, P.O. Box 122, Quantico, VA 22134-0122. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com. The funeral mass will be available via livestream on the Facebook page of St. Basil the Great. Please use this link to be directed to the Facebook page of St. Basil the Great. https://www.facebook.com/StBasilthegreat/