Roger Lee Strausbaugh

Roger Lee Strausbaugh, age 81, of Lewes, DE, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Born in Columbia, PA on November 19, 1944, he was a son of the late Henry and Velma (Young) Strausbaugh.

After high school, Roger answered his country’s call by enlisting in the Marine Corps, an experience that would shape the course of his entire life. His service took him around the world, eventually landing him at the U.S. Embassy in Panama, where he served as a guard. It was there that fate intervened — he met Catherine Marie McCall, a secretary to the Panamanian ambassador. Upon discovering they lived just hours apart back home in Pennsylvania, a romance blossomed that would span more than four decades, lasting until Catherine’s passing in 2010.

Roger went on to attend Temple University and built a career as a Civil Engineer, working for some of the areas’ top engineering firms. He loved the home in Green Hills, PA, that he shared with his beloved wife and their three children, where he enjoyed golfing, swimming and hosting one of their famous “Crabfest” family gatherings. Roger later moved to Lewes, DE, with his partner Beverly Groff, where he enjoyed life until his passing.

He was legendary for his (awful) dad jokes, his enthusiastic — if occasionally creative — sense of direction, and his gift for enjoying family together.

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his beloved wife Catherine Marie (McCall) Strausbaugh; his grandson Riley Franklin Noss; and his brothers Leonard William Urey and Robert Eugene Urey. He is survived by his sister Roberta Ann Thomas; his daughters Amy (Strausbaugh) Noss, married to Henry Noss, and Tara (Strausbaugh) Flohr, married to Scott Flohr; his son Roger Strausbaugh II, married to Emily (Koegler) Strausbaugh; and grandchildren Michael, Jared, Hunter, Davis, Colin, Roger Lee III, and Clover.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held at 11:15am, Friday, November 20, 2026, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery 60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville PA 17003, followed by a luncheon at Harper’s Tavern 10486 Jonestown Road, Annville, PA 17003 in Roger’s honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roger’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where he faithfully donated every year, by mail to: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking here.