Dr. Robert T. Strang, Sr.

Birth date: May 28, 1920 Death date: Nov 3, 2020

Dr. Robert Tudor Strang, Sr., 100, passed away on November 3, 2020. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1920, Dr. Strang moved to Kingsport in 1953 to begin the practice of orthopedic surgery with his partners, Dr. Merritt Shobe and Dr. Joe Malloy.He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. and M.A. in 1941 and married his wife of 76 years, Ruby Nell Harris. Together they moved to Apalachicola, Florida where he taught mathematics and served as Assistant Principal of Chapman High School. A year later he entered the University of Alabama Medical School and then joined the Navy and transferred to Harvard Medical where he graduated in 1946. He served his surgical internship at Boston City Hospital and then became the Chief of Orthopedics at the Newport Naval Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island.He loved being a physician and helping others. After retirement in his early 90’s, he volunteered at the Friends In Need Health Center. During his long career, Dr. Strang served on the medical staffs of Holston Valley Hospital, Indian Path Hospital, Wise Regional Hospital, Green Valley Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital and the Norton Community Hospital. He was the Medical Director of the Palmer Memorial Center and was a Director of the Tennessee Crippled Children’s Board during the state’s fight against polio. In 1964, Dr. Strang volunteered to serve with Medico, a branch of CARE to teach orthopedics in Enugu, Nigeria. Dr. Strang is remembered by many as a caring physician who helped them through injuries and pain. He is remembered by his family as a kind, helpful, eternally optimistic and positive husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is remembered by his golfing buddies as a cheerful and fun, but very competitive friend. Dr. Strang was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby H. Strang and his son Dr. Robert T. Strang, Jr. Those left to cherish his memory are his son Dr. Richard Strang; grandchildren Mr. Robert Strang III, Dr. Andrew Strang, Mr. Webb Strang and Dr. Emily Strang; and great grandchildren Kate, Robert IV, Thomas, Anne, Harris, Charlotte and Elizabeth.A private Graveside Service for family will be held in Oak Hill Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, 372 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.oakhillfh.comThe care of Dr. Robert Tudor Strang, Sr. and his family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.Read Obituary

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Kenneth Maloy

179w ago

Share a memory is impossible when our families started crossing paths at Harvard Medical school in the early '40s. Our memories are too many, and all good ones. My father left Boston and moved to Kingsport at the request of Bob in 1958, and the Partnership of Shobe, Strang, and Maloy begin. His commitment to serving the people of SW Virginia and NE Tennessee demonstrates that health care is more about the people. He served the people of SW VA for over 40 years.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the Strangs. God bless! He will be missed.

Maloy Family

Tom Murrell

179w ago

What a wonderful family. We lived in the same neighborhood and I was a friend of Robert Jr and Richard. Dr. Strang helped me with a foot injury when I was on the D-B track team. Ruby Strang always made me feel like family and I never said no when she suggested I call my Mom and see if I could stay for super. I lost track of the family when I moved away for college and then my time in the Army. Fond memories, wonderful family.

Tom Murrell

Bradley Jessup

180w ago

In 1970 I had a Injury to my right knee while playing rugby In Malaysia. I was in a hospital for several weeks but the doctors there in the small town where I was teaching told me that they couldn't do anything more to help me, but to have an orthopedic surgeon look at my knee when I returned to the USA. My knee got steady worse until 1973, when at last Dr. Strang successfully operated on my right knee by removing torn meniscus. Things went well until 1977 when I was loading trucks for UPS at night in the Chicago area while attending grad school during the daytime. I was summoned to a safety meeting and had to hop over some packages to get out of the truck I was loading. It was winter, and I was wearing knobby soled snow boots as I jumped from the back of a truck onto a grated walk-way. The boot-sole knobs caught in the spaces of the grated walk-way. I felt a sharp snap in my right knee, accompanied by pain but was able to hop to a safety meeting on my left leg. The topic of the safety meeting concerned the inherent danger associated with jumping out of the backs on the trucks on to a grated walk-way. Too late for me. Over the next two weeks I learned that the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) had been snapped and was gone. Fortunately for me, good ole Dr. Strang had documented that the ligament was intact when he operated on the torn meniscus four years earlier. His thoroughness meant that I could prove that the ACL was working well, prior to the accident on that winter night. While the injury led to three more surgeries and many weeks on crutches,
Workmen's Compensation enabled me to pay for the surgeries and stay in grad school.
I would not have qualified for Workmen's Compensation if Dr. Strang had not documented that the ACL was intact in 1973. Thank you Dr. Strang for not only being an excellent surgeon, but also one who wrote very detailed, exhaustive reports that would hold up in court.

A very grateful,

Bradley Webster Jessup
November 11, 2020

Teresa Marshall

180w ago

in honor of Robert.

To the entire family, We are very sorry to hear of the passing of both of the doctors. My dad Dayton Marshall worked for them for 48 years before he passed. We love you all. Love , Teresa Marshall Laney, Vanessa Marshall Mounger, Tony Marshall and Shirley Marshall

A lit candle with a soft flame, surrounded by small white flowers and green leaves, set against a warm yellow background.

Tom Strang

180w ago

Richard and Family....My heart goes out to you for your loss. Your father was my uncle. You and your brother Robert are my cousins. My father Andrew and Dr Robert were brothers. My dad passed a few years ago at age 99 while living in Jersey close by to Wildwood where the Strang’s, as you know, passed many a summer. My Dad was called “Bob” and was the oldest son. His sister was Margaret Freas, followed by Tudor, Howard, and then your Dad.
Upon learning of uncle Robert’s passing, I unfortunately also learned of your brother’s passing. Your brother and I used to go fishing together when your family visited Jersey. It is an unfortunate fact that geography got in the way of a close bond we shared when together. My wife and I spend most of our time in CT.. I wish I had known your brother was within driving distance.
A tremendous feeling of sadness and loss has washed over me upon learning of this tragic news. Please be comforted by knowing we share your grief, and please if possible pass along my condolences to your spouse and children as well as Robert’s children.
I have informed my siblings (all six) who are scattered over the Northeast and Midwest and they too feel the loss.
The Strang clan of Philadelphia has done well and has served mankind in remarkable ways. Richard, keep the tradition alive!!
Fondly......... Thomas Strang ....Oxford, Ct.....&.....Naples, FL

Lyndell Davidson

180w ago

Richard, so sorry for the loss of your father and brother. Your Dad and Miss Ruby were fine examples of friendship. Sitting out in the country waiting for the sun to go down so that the fireworks could begin. Miss Ruby helping out when my aunt Edith's home caught fire. They were "good people" and always seemed part of our extended family. So many memories. Sending you prayers and love to you and your family.

Lyndell Davidson Hobbs

Alice White

180w ago

Dr. Bob and Ruby were the best next-door neighbors ever for almost thirty years! They were so caring, funny, and fun! We watched rare flowers bloom and meteor showers in the back yard at night, and we had golf lessons teeling off to my swimming pool, Dr Bob always had his golf sweater on, regardless of the temps! ! I had the joy of vicariously enjoying their grandchildren grow up through their stories and letters. We fussed about the yardwork together, and I had trouble keeping Ruby off the roof at 95! We treasured their good humor, their witty stories, and most of all their friendship! What a privilege it has been to have them in my life! Rest in peace, Dr Bob! You were the best!

Tammy Mcnutt-Munoz

180w ago

Dr. Strang was my Dr. while I was at Palmer Center. One of the kindest man you could meet. Prayers of comfort in your time of need. So sorry for your loss.

Bradley Jessup

180w ago

A very grateful,

Bradley Webster Jessup
November 11, 2020