Strange, Robert F.

Description

Robert “Bob” Strange was born on May 12, 1922 in Orange, NY to George and Jessie Frasier Strange. He spent his childhood in Rye, NY, and was a 1939 graduate of Rye High School. In Rye his family lived at 45 Wainwright Street and were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Bob served as an officer in the Merchant Marines during World War II.

He graduated from Kings Point US Merchant Marine Academy and served in WWII in the US Merchant Marine as a Navigator and acting Captain on Liberty Ships, crossing the North Atlantic nine times in convoy supplying our troops with ammunitions. He was very proud of his service to his country.

Bob’s older brother George W. Strange Jr. was killed on January 12, 1945, when his outfit, the 1896th Engineers Aviation Battalion’s, ship was enroot to the Philippines and attacked. George along with 108 others were killed due to a kamikaze attack.

Returning from the war he married Muriel Jane Nicyper on March 9, 1946, in Russell, Massachusetts. They had three children during their marriage. Bob earned his Mechanical Engineering degree from Brooklyn Polytech Institute.

He spent his career as a Mechanical Design Engineer for various companies across the country. He worked on many top secret government projects and helped develop the first analog computer. He moved to Kemah, TX in 1963 to join NASA and the emerging space program, where he worked on the design and installation of the Mission Control Center.

Though a quiet man, he was committed to both his work and his family. He always said, A family that plays together stays together. As Dad, he took his family all over the West Coast on camping adventures and later on sailing adventures in San Francisco Bay, Long Island Sound and Galveston Bay.

As Grandpa, he took all of his grandchildren to Lake Buchanan for weeks at a time during summers and went to every dance recital, choir concert, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, and soccer game. Bob truly lived his life to the fullest.

Sailing was his passion. He always lived on the water ready to set sail on a moments notice. While he had many sailboats through the years, one was particularly special to him. He named his 22 sailboat MURBOB, joining the names of Muriel and Bob together forever.

He also enjoyed square dancing, the organ club, and built several radio controlled sailboats. He and Muriel spent 25 years traveling all over the US, Canada, Mexico and internationally in their Airstream trailer.

Bob loved the adventures of getting to each new destination and keeping his Airstream in impeccable
condition. He was a tinkerer – always puttering around repairing something and was the most content when he had a project to do.

Robert (Bob) Frasier Strange died June 15, 2014, at the age of 92. He left behind his family to fulfill his lifelong dream of sailing the world. His wife, Muriel Nicyper Strange, of 68 years, and his daughter and son were there at his side as they wished him Bon Voyage. We wish you safe travels as you glide across the sea with the sun in your face and wind at you back, exploring places you once only imagined.

Bob was survived by his wife, Muriel Nicyper Strange; his three children, Jeff, Douglas, and Susan; 6 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren (one on the way).

A celebration of his life was held at the Cabin on Lake Buchanan, a place he loved and requested as his final resting place, on August 16, 2014