Robert Strange Jr.

Robert Strange Jr.

Lt. Col. Robert Thornton Strange Jr., "Bob", died May 30 surrounded by his family at his home in Weems, VA. He was born April 10, 1929, in Annapolis, to Robert Thornton Strange and Margaret Rose Nickerson Strange. His family was well-known in the Annapolis area, having been active in the business, political, and social life of the area since 1850. "Bob", as his friends knew him, spent his formative years in the Annapolis area, attending Green Street Grammar School, Annapolis High School, and Severn School. He spent his summers and weekends sailing his Snipe class sailboat named 'Lil Stranger' on Spa Creek and the Severn River, and was also active in Boy Scouts. As a young man, church was extremely important to him, and he served as an altar boy and acolyte at St. Anne's Episcopal Church. While attending Severn, Bob played football, wrestling, and lacrosse with good friends Buzz Hall and Casey Hernandez, and became an outstanding athlete despite his small stature. Upon graduation from high school in 1947, Bob matriculated to the University of Maryland where he joined the Kappa Alpha fraternity and met Bertha Lee Fleet, who would later become his wife. Bob left the University and entered the Merchant Marine Academy in Louisiana during the Korean Conflict. In January of 1950, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and by December, he and Bertha Lee had married and moved to Kelly Field, San Antonio, TX. After graduation from the Air Force Aviation Cadet program, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and sent to South Korea, where he spent the duration of the war flying Night Intruder raids over North Korea with the Third Light Bomb Wing. During this time, he earned several medals and commendations for bravery and service including the Distinguished Flying Cross. From November 1951 to February 1952 Bob and his squad flew 51 successful combat missions. After returning from Korea, Bob earned his wings as a pilot. In 1956, the family was stationed at Elmendorf Air Base in Anchorage, AK, where Bob flew Search and Rescue Missions and received numerous recognitions as a flight instructor. In 1966, the family relocated back to Annapolis where he was stationed at Andrews Air Force base until retirement in 1970. While at Andrews, he earned the Meritorious Service Medal for "consistently demonstrating outstanding leadership, resourcefulness, and technical knowledge in the performance of his duty". After retirement from the Air Force, Bob earned his real estate license and began his second career in commercial property management. He also spent a great deal of time teaching his four children to sail and appreciate the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. After joining the Annapolis Yacht Club, he often spent his weekends and evenings racing on the Bay and through membership in the Alberg 30 group spent many summers touring the Bay with his family. His love of sailing culminated in travels with his wife, Bertie, to many destinations along the east coast from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas. He also enjoyed spending time with his faithful dog, George II. Bob was a member of numerous community service organizations, including the Salvation Army, Civitan Club, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and Omni House in Baltimore. After relocating to Weems, VA, his efforts expanded to include volunteer service to Historic Christ Church, the Northern Neck Rose Society, the Reedville Fishermen's Museum, and the vestry of St. Stephen's Anglican Church in Heathsville. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Bertha Lee Strange "Bertie"; four children, Robert E. Strange and his wife Millie, Bruce Logan Strange and his wife Brenda, Russell S. Strange, and Susan S. Krieger and her husband Stan; brother, Tom Strange; six grandchildren; three step grandchildren; one great-grandchild; 11 step great-grandchildren; and six step great-great-grandchildren. Services celebrating Bob's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11 at St. Stephen's Church in Heathsville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Omni House Foundation Inc. 1421 Madison Park Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 or to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), P.O. Box 8260 Richmond, VA 23226.