Ralph "Roby" Strachan

Surrounded by family, Ralph Roby Strachan was invited to go to the Lord on Sunday, February 3, 2008. He was born in Los Angeles on April 22, 1942, to Annalee R. Jones and James K. Strachan. He graduated from Bullard High School, Class of 1961, and graduated from Fresno State College with a BS degree in Real Estate and Finance in 1965. He served in the U.S. Air National Guard as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist of the 144th Fighter Group. He was an active volunteer in the community including serving as President of North Fresno Rotary, and as a charter member and President of Woodward Park Rotary. Roby was a Realtor since 1967. His accomplishments included: member of the Board of Realtors since 1968, President in 1990, MLS Chair in 1992, Realtor of the Year in 1996, President's Award Recipient in 2007 and, most recently Managing Director for Sperry Van Ness. Roby married the person he described as his lifelong love, Barbara Jean Harmon, in 1968. He had courted her through numerous Huntington Lake dances starting at age 14. Some of his favorite activities were snow skiing, sailing in the High Sierra Regatta, hunting, fishing, horse packing and sharing time with family and friends at the Huntington Lake Cabin. He will be remembered as a tutor, mentor, and the truest kind of friend and for his incredible wit and his wisdom. He balanced his work life by spoiling his wife, daughter and son through years of loving, coaching, vacationing and providing an inspirational example of the way to live. He described himself as, I am just a guy that loves people and tries to do his best, extra special best for my family. He is survived by loving wife Barbara; son Jamie and his wife Allyson; daughter Mary and her husband Kevin; and four grandchildren Jake, Maxine, Samuel and Natalie. An Open House to celebrate Roby's life will be held at 1103 W. Paul, on Friday, February 8, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All friends are welcome. Remembrances may be made to Hinds Hospice or the SPCA. NEPTUNE SOCIETY of Central California 1154 W. Shaw Fresno, Ca. (559) 222-7764