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Mark Anthony Strauss

1930 - 2016

BORN

1930

DIED

2016

Mark Strauss Obituary

Mark Anthony Strauss, 86, of Maurertown, Virginia, passed away Sunday, September 25, 2016 at his home.

Mr. Strauss was born September 2, 1930 in Lvov, Ukraine (formerly Poland), son of the late Joseph Strauss and Sidonia Strauss (Zuckerberg).

He was an author, artist, farmer, scientist, and educator and was the co-owner along with his wife of the Strauss Gallery in Edinburg.

Mr. Strauss was a holocaust survivor who immigrated to the United States in 1947. In recent years, he spoke frequently at area schools about his holocaust experiences and left a lasting impression on a generation of middle and high school students.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Elizabeth Strauss (Wiener); his daughter, Ruth Ann Strauss and son-in-law Edward Thomas Rogers; his sons, David Peter Strauss and daughter-in-law Jacquie and Jonathan Sidney Strauss and daughter-in-law Tanya. He is also survived by grandchildren, Benjamin Strauss, Rachel Rogers, Jesse Rogers, Jonah Strauss and Lucy Strauss.

The family will receive friends at the Strauss Gallery in Edinburg, VA on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 11 a.m. in Beth El Congregation Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Doctors Without Borders, http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Sign the Guest Book at www.nvdaily.com/obituaries

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Published by Northern Virginia Daily on Sep. 28, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Strauss

25 Entries

Kari Bates & family

November 30, 2023

Mark left a lasting legacy of better informed, more compassionate and kinder humans. He will forever remain in our hearts.

Kessiah Apple

October 9, 2017

For an amazing inspiration

Kessiah Apple

October 9, 2017

Mark was an amazing man and im blessed for having the oppertunity to meet and talk to him. I want to thank him for wishing me luck and making sure that I knew God is here. God bless Mark and his entire family.

David Pugh

October 13, 2016

Mark was a good friend and an inspiration to me and my students. I will miss him and our visits deeply. Please accept my sincere sympathy and in particular to Joan; I hope you remain strong.

Marijayne Kruus

October 12, 2016

This is a post from my Facebook page that I would like to share with Mark's family and friends:

Words cannot describe how very saddened I am feeling right now. As many of you know, I lecture about the Holocaust every semester at the community college where I teach. And every semester, Dr. Mark Strauss shared his survival experiences with my classes. I have just learned (via a google search) that Mark has passed away. I have been trying to reach him for days and feared the worst, hence my google inquiry.
For anyone who has worked with Holocaust survivors, one thing that strikes us most is that the events survivors describe still seem so current to them. The pain of losing close relatives and family members remains evident in their voices, the horror of starvation in the Ghettos still shadows their eyes, the struggle to survive against seemingly insurmountable odds in the death camps is still very real to them when they speak.
The ability to live through such inhumane conditions alone is remarkable. However, the selfless way in which many of these survivors shared their horrific memories is what is truly astounding. The retelling NEVER got easier, no matter how many times a particular story was told. Events that occurred seventy years ago seemed, to survivors, like yesterday. Mark, in particular, agonized each and every time he gave a lecture. While very descriptive and detailed when sharing his particular story, he avoided talking about it either before or after his speech.
Yet these brave individuals, Mark among them, felt it was IMPERATIVE to speak, to share, to inform, to educate. Why? So that the 9 million souls lost during the Holocaust would not be forgotten, even though their bodies, quite literally, were turned to dust. So that history would not repeat itself. So that potential future genocides could be avoided. So that our children would be better persons than ourselves. So that humanity, as a whole, could become more humane.
Not only did I have the privilege of having Mark address my classes, we were also friends. He met my children years ago and kept up with their progress. And although he never met my husband, Mark always asked about him, as Mark's son worked for a company that exhibited internationally.
Mark was also an accomplished artist and author. My husband and I had the honor of purchasing an original, Holocaust-themed oil painting from Mark only a few months ago. It hangs in my office, right next to my desk. Micke and I feel very privileged to have such a consequential and personal piece of art. It feels as though Mark is looking over my shoulder as I write.
One of the other Holocaust survivors I met years ago looked deep into the eyes of each member of her audience, including mine, and made us vow NEVER - TO - FORGET. I took that vow very seriously, especially as I began to teach history. Mark became not only a vehicle through which I was able to keep my vow, he became my life's inspiration.
Most of us strive throughout our lives to matter in some way to ourselves, to our families, to our friends, to our co-workers. While sometimes vain, this is simply what we do. However, it is truly rare to meet someone who mattered not only to their immediate family and acquaintances, but took on the burden of all of humanity. Mark was one such person. I will remain forever grateful to have known him and to be able to share with others his incomparable legacy.

Marijayne Kruus

October 12, 2016

I am so very saddened to hear of Mark's passing. I have worked with Mark for over ten years now, helping him to share his Holocaust experiences with students in Virginia. He has spoken to my classes at Germanna every semester for three years now and I will miss his visits terribly. Words cannot possibly describe the good that Mark did in terms of making the world a better place.

October 6, 2016

You called me Mark to say that you were still alive and to invite me to stop by the gallery. I did but the gallery was closed. I enjoyed many interesting conversations with you and I regret there will not be more.
Blessings,
Reverend Debbie (as you always addressed me)

Keith Anderle

October 6, 2016

I am thankful for the support he showed in my work.God Bless

Mary Anne Hampton

October 1, 2016

Mark, you made a difference in this world, through your written word your paintings and the sharing of your holocaust experience with the youth of our society. Thank you so much. You are loved and you will be missed.

Karen Poff

September 29, 2016

Mark's life touched many people in our community. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He was an inspiration to all in so many ways. He will truly be missed!

John Rohrbaugh

September 29, 2016

Mark was and is a great man. May he live forever through his art, his story and his family.

Jill morning

September 29, 2016

I have known Mark for many years. I met him when he came to speak at Daniel Morgan Middle School where I worked. I admired him greatly and we became friends over time. He was a very special man who shared so much with so many children over the years. I will keep my artwork and autographed books from him as priceless family heirlooms for my children and grandchildren so I can share his story with them.

Sandra Hampton

September 29, 2016

I only met you once, Mark, but your life truly made a impact upon the world. May you rest in peace.

Sean Murphy

September 29, 2016

I was very saddened to hear of Mark's passing. I met him at my middle school about 15 years ago and never forgot the stories he told us. I was able to reconnect with him later in life at his art gallery and was again amazed at how wonderful of a man he was. I will always remember how he treated my wife and I like family and talked with us for hours. I hope to one day be half the man Mark was.

September 29, 2016

The Strauss Family - August 2015

Tanya Strauss

September 29, 2016

Grandpa Mark will be missed. We all loved him so much!

Davy Myers

September 29, 2016

We were saddened to hear about his death. He was an amazing man, very smart and talented. He was also our neighbor and dear friend. He will truly be missed. Davy Myers & Tanja Scaggs

Dave Tarney

September 29, 2016

Ruth

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. You are in our prayers

Ron Ornstein

September 28, 2016

Baruch dayan haemet. ( traditional Hebrew expression upon hearing of a death, meaning "Blessed is the Judge of truth".)
I am sorry to hear the news that Mark passed away.
Mark deeply affected many, many people in this area, sharing his harrowing experiences as an adolescent surviving the Holocaust in hiding and delivered inspirational stories to literally thousands of my 8th grade students over the years. He was also widely known for his art work, which hundreds of students and staff proudly own. He was a long-time member of Beth El. He was a friend. He lived a full life. He made the world a better place. He will be missed.
May his memory be for a blessing.

Rabbi Joe Blair

September 28, 2016

Baruch dayan haemet.
I am saddened to hear of his death. He did much to touch others during his life.
May you be comforted from heaven, and may the memories be for a blessing.

Lois Thomas

September 28, 2016

Ruth
So sorry for you and your family's loss. I am praying for your strength!

Mark and I in the forum on PMMS after his talk.

Nory Fletcher

September 28, 2016

Mark has been an important part of my life for the past 12 years. He came to speak to my 7th grade students each year, sometimes twice in one year. He shared his experiences, his passion for tolerance of all people if they work hard and are caring and the importance of never letting something like the Holocaust ever happen again. Mark was not only an important part of my class curriculum but also as a friend. His words will never be lost or forgotten as long as I am teaching! Students for generations will remember the experience that he created by coming to speak to them. Mark will be dearly missed. Much love to you all,

Scott Bullock

September 28, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Kathleen Lance

September 28, 2016

Ruth and family,

Thinking of you and those you love during this difficult time. He sounded like an extraordinary man.

With sincere condolences,

Kathleen

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