Robert Stringham

In loving memory of Robert Paul Stringham, Papa, Bob, our beloved father, grandfather, friend and hero: Robert was born on February 23, 1928 in Monterey Park, Los Angeles County to Paul F. Stringham and Oleta A. Kump. His parents were born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, but had moved to California to make a new life for their family, in what had become difficult economic times. In the 1930s, Bob and his parents moved to his maternal grandfather, Edward Kump's ranch in La Point, Utah. His father soon returned to Los Angeles to find work, while he and his mother stayed on the ranch. After a year, the family reunited in Los Angeles, but times remained difficult and work was still hard to find. He recalled the breadlines in Los Angeles and being happy to wait in line for turkey soup one Thanksgiving. In 1939, his father obtained a job with Gillespie Feed Mills and was sent to Tulare as a feed salesman. The family moved to a house in the country on West Prosperity Avenue. He attended Cherry Avenue Middle School and Tulare High. He was in the Junior Statesman's Club, selected for Boy's State and served as class president in 1944. After graduation in 1945, Robert studied at College of the Sequoias and the University of Utah as part of the United States Army Specialized Training Reserve Program. Robert served on active duty for the United States Army from April of 1946 to September of 1947 in Tokyo, Japan. He was chosen as one of the nine elite personal guards of General Douglas MacArthur at the Occupation Forces Headquarters, where he and his fellow soldiers were always at the general's side, except when the general would go into to conference with Father Flannege. Robert was recognized as an expert rifleman with the 30 caliber M-1. Upon return from the army, Bob immediately resumed higher education. In 1950, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University. On June 18, 1952, he was awarded the degrees of Bachelor of Law and a Doctor of Jurisprudence. His classmates included his best friend, Gerald Thede, his study partner Sandra Day (O'Connor), the first woman to serve on United States Supreme Court, along with William Rehnquist who would later become the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. On January 28, 1953, Bob was admitted to the State Bar of California and began his legal career in Los Angeles, at the corporate offices of Bank of America. He didn't find banking law challenging, and decided to return to Tulare. Upon his return, he worked for the Tulare County Counsel's Office and then entered private practice with Gareth Houck in Visalia. In 1956, Bob associated with his friends Joseph Soares and Ward Rush in the practice of law in Tulare. That same year, his first child, Everly, was born to him and his new bride, Margaret Netherton; Ward (1958) and Bryce (1960) soon joined the family. Thereafter, Bob formed a new partnership with William C. Hahesy, Sr. and Bob's dear friend, Sherman Rogers. In the late 1960s, the firm of Moran, Stringham & Rogers was established at 756 East Tulare Avenue, Tulare, CA. Soon, the firm of Stringham, Rogers, Kadi, Graves & Lampe was established. Sid Levin and David Borges also practiced with the firm. In 1983, his son, Ward, joined him in the practice of law. The firm of Stringham & Stringham became Stringham & Hillman when Bret D. Hillman joined, and then, Stringham, Hillman & Lew when Chad M. Lew came on board. Bob's law career focused primarily in family law, probate and estate planning, corporations, partnerships and business ventures. Bob lived to serve others as an untiring advocate who deeply cared for his clients and was prone to long periods of soul searching when he wasn't able to prevail. He didn't like losing so he strived to do his best to serve those who trusted him. One of his favorite truisms was that a lawyer cannot be over prepared. In 1958, Bob joined the Tulare Rotary Club and remained active until 2010. He unselfishly gave of his time and money to civic causes and those in need. He was instrumental in the development of Tulare County Legal Aid and a benefactor to the creation of SCICON for the children of Tulare County, a contributor to the California Antique Farm Equipment Show and the Tulare City Historical Society. He joyfully supported Encore Theatre and many other youth organizations. He proudly volunteered for what was then the Tulare County Farm Equipment Show and was legal counsel to the Board of Directors for many years. Bob served as a Tulare City Planning Commissioner in the 1960's and as a Draft Board member during the Vietnam War. He performed his duty to his country faithfully, but remained agonized that the members of the Draft Board called young men to war. Robert had many passions in life and loved to learn and explore; fast cars, ski boats, and a sailing yacht were just a few of his interests. His love of snow skiing developed into spending his weekends in the mountains, and he eventually purchased a cabin in Shaver Lake in the 1960's. Later, he bought a cabin on the "Point", which became his refuge for winter weekends, holidays and long summer vacations with his family. Bob loved traveling the world. He wanted to see every place on the planet which he found to be interesting. His adventures included road trips throughout Europe, skiing from the Alps to the Rockies, journeys to the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America, Africa, and the Orient. By 1998, Bob fully retired from the practice of law and spent his time reading, bike riding, walking, listening to his music and joyfully being the best grandfather any child could wish for. To the end of his days, he was blessed with the ability to live on his terms, in private and in the comfort of his home. On Tuesday, January 18, 2011, Robert Paul Stringham passed away peacefully in his country home surrounded by his family. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his first grandson, Warren Armstrong Stringham. Bob is survived by his three children, Everly Lynn Kennedy of Visalia; Ward Robert Stringham and his wife, Charlene, of Tulare; Bryce Edward Stringham and his wife, Jo Ann, of Shaver Lake, ; and his eight grandchildren: Zachary, Elise, Madelyn, Maxwell, Lisa, Clinton, Amy and Dusty. On behalf of the family, heartfelt thanks are extended to Bob's caregivers Bill Everett and Claudette Ferreria; and to his physicians. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made to UCSF Alzheimer's Center, Fresno, CA, Tulare City Historical Society, or Hospice of Tulare County. Services will be held on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 120 North Hall Street, Visalia, CA. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansmillerguinnchapel.com. Services Entrusted to Evans Miller Guinn Exeter Chapel.