Hilary Strauss, 88, businessman, athlete
Hilary Strauss, 88, of Haverford, a businessman, athlete, and volunteer, died Friday, April 29, of heart failure at Lankenau Hospital.
Hilary Strauss, 88, of Haverford, a businessman, athlete, and volunteer, died Friday, April 29, of heart failure at Lankenau Hospital.
In the 1940s, Mr. Strauss represented Central High School in the Penn Relays and also at city-sponsored swim meets. He was so physically fit that he ran a six-minute mile daily until age 70.
He enlisted in the Army during World War II, and was selected for special training at the Virginia Military Institute, where he won the Seventh Army championship in swimming. He was deployed stateside as an athletic instructor.
After his military service, Mr. Strauss enrolled at Harvard University and graduated in 1950. His first job was as the civilian manager of the U.S. Post Exchange System throughout Europe. He was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany, for four years.
In 1960, Mr. Strauss went into business for himself, founding Ceilings Inc., a Norristown firm that installed ceiling tile. Later, he founded Acoustical Associates, also in Norristown.
He was president of both companies and enjoyed acting as mentor for younger associates, his family said. He sold both businesses before retiring in the mid-1980s.
A busy volunteer, he was a past president and 25-year member of Harcum College's board of directors. He also was on the board of directors of the Ludington Library in Bryn Mawr, the General Building Contractors Association of Philadelphia, and the Harvard Radcliffe Club of Philadelphia.
Mr. Strauss was fascinated by music, art, and books. He collected material about World War II, especially the Holocaust, and shared it with friends.
"He was equally a true gentleman and gentle man. Not once in 60 years did he neglect to hold a door open for his wife, or any woman, and always treated people with dignity and respect," daughter Louise said.
Besides his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Ione Apfelbaum Strauss. Daughter Erika died in 1981.
Services were private.
Donations may be made to Harcum College, Office of College Advancement, c/o Susan E. Barrett, 750 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010.
610-313-8102