Harold Benjamin Strauch

Dr. Harold Strauch, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and one of Sacramento’s most respected orthopedic surgeons, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 91.

Born and raised in Sacramento, Dr. Strauch was a proud graduate of Sacramento High School, Class of 1952. He went on to build a remarkable academic and medical career, graduating from Stanford University in 1956 Phi Beta Kappa and Stanford University School of Medicine in 1959. He completed his internship at Philadelphia General Hospital, followed by residencies at UCSF in San Francisco, where he met his wife Lilla, Highland Hospital in Oakland and Shriners Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, laying the foundation for what would become a distinguished six-decade-long medical career.

For 60 years, Dr. Strauch served the Sacramento community as an orthopedic surgeon of exceptional skill, compassion, and dedication. He was the longtime Head Team Physician for Sacramento State’s football and athletic programs, a role he held for more than 30 years, and he founded the Sports Medicine Program at UC Davis, helping shape the future of sports medicine in the region. His expertise extended to professional athletics as well, where he served as team physician for the Sacramento River Cats, the Goldminers, and the Surge. In addition, Dr. Strauch proudly served as a medical doctor in the National Guard of the United States.

Dr. Strauch held numerous leadership roles within the medical community, including Chief of Surgery at Sutter General Hospital and Board Member for Sutter Community Hospitals. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Sacramento for 50 years. In 2012, he was inducted into the Sacramento State Sports Hall of Fame, an honor reflecting his profound impact on student-athletes and the university.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Harold’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Lilla, and their children Mike (Jane), Kim Briggs (Peter), Marc (Christina), and Matt (Brenda). He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Kris Levy. He was a proud and deeply loving grandfather to Andrew, Caroline, Brock, Genevieve, Giabella, Alta Briggs, Ilana Briggs, Brooke Briggs, Ben and Alex Levy, and step-grandchildren Sierra and Aubrey. He cherished traveling with his family and attending the countless sporting events of his children and grandchildren.

Dr. Strauch will be remembered not only for his extraordinary medical career, but also for his integrity, warmth, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. His legacy lives on in the thousands of patients he healed, the many athletes he helped return to the field, and—most of all—in the family he adored.