Theodore Strachan

Frederick, MD - Theodore William Strachan, of Frederick Maryland, passed away at the age of 87 on the morning of February 21, 2025.

He was New Hampshire born and raised. A proud graduate of Concord High School's class of 1955 - a class that stayed tight over the many years - he might have stayed in Concord his whole life had he not, at the age of 18, joined the United States Navy. He trained in San Diego, California as a cryptologic technician and learned how to transcribe encrypted Soviet Morse Code transmissions. His service during the early days of the Cold War would take him to London and Morocco, where he was a lineman for the Navy's All Service - North Africa championship football team, and eventually to Cyprus and Karamu?rsel, Turkey, where he worked undercover for both Naval Security Group and the National Security Agency (NSA) to gather signals intelligence on Soviet military operations. This was an experience of honor and patriotism that he valued all his days. Even in his final days, struggling to speak, his service was still at the front of his mind as he whispered, "This is harder than the Navy."

From the age of 25 to age 62 he worked hard and had a successful career in the printing industry. The family recalls the smell of the ink embedded in his clothes and the stained whorls of his fingertips.

Ted was the husband of Susan; they recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. He was the father of Kevin, Kris and David. The father of three sons, he ended up with a family of daughters-in-law and granddaughters: Tina and Sophia; Trish, Krista and Alexa; and Lisa, Audrey and Megan respectively. Lucky man.

The family owes great thanks to Ashley Frenkel, who showed him care and kindness, and to the good folks of Daybreak Adult Day Services and Autumn Lake Healthcare at Glade Valley. There are good hearted people in this world who make a difference to families like ours.

A private family gathering will be held to honor Theodore. No formal memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Concord Monitor on Mar. 1, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Theodore Strachan

5 Entries

Sandra Davis Hudson

March 4, 2025

To my nephews, Kevin and Kris, I was sorry to see about your Dad´s passing. We were also in high school together, and he was always a lot of fun, and had many friends. My sympathy to you all.

Larry Keenan

March 3, 2025

Hello everyone, to family friends schoolmates.

My name is Larry Keenan. I am a first cousin of Ted as it turns out we were raised in the same town went to the same Hi school and we´re born in the same year, 1937. Ted in February and I in October. our parents were brother and sister.
As unique as that is, I enjoyed the friendship of Ted as we were involved together in many activities in high school. He was the president of our class of 1955. I was in student council. We were in sports together, football and track. He was a center I was a tight end.
Add to all of that the fact that we were mutual friends with several in our class, and we did many things together and we´re very good friends. The one characteristic that stands out in my mind about Ted is that he was one funny guy because of that he was such a popular person and not just our class, but in the whole high school. By any stretch, Ted was a leader. Of all the activities he was there to guide us, point in the right direction, ask for input and have fun at the same time.

A few months ago, I was able to call Ted and have a long conversation with him. We reminisced a bit about things in the past, and I reminded him of some fun that we had which caused him to have a good laugh. He told me some things I had not known about having to do with his family. He mentioned all the daughters and granddaughters and other children; Kevin, Chris, and David and how proud he was of everyone. He was a happy man internally given that he was. Restricted by his illnesses. Being around Ted, you knew that things are going to be fun. There was no negative activity. It was all happiness and support for one another . The TV program Happy Days, which many of you have seen, had nothing on us. In fact, I think some of their ideas came from us.

We all have special memories of Ted. He is at peace now and those memories of him and who he was will help make us happy that he was our friend .

Mike Keenan

March 3, 2025

Sending love and condolences to the Strachans.

Mike Keenan
Grandson to Muriel, Grandnephew to Guy R, 1st Cousin 1x removed to Ted.

Tracey Stolte

March 1, 2025

To my uncle & his family, you are in my heart & prayers.

Sue Otis Dudley

March 1, 2025

To Ted's family I send my condolences. There are so many happy memories of our 1955 Class at Concord High School and the innocent fun which always included Teddy's antics and his happy laugh! We all loved him.

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