In Memoriam

Donald M. Strayer

Obituary

Pasadena Star-News

May 29, 2022

On May 6, 2022 Don passed away peacefully at home after a long struggle with cancer. He will be missed by all of his family, friends, and neighbors.

A resident of Altadena CA for more than thirty-four years, he loved the hillside community and its friendly people. He often rode his bike to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he worked for twenty-six years before retiring in 2007.

Don was born in Portland, Oregon and shortly thereafter moved with his family to McMinnville, Oregon where he lived until he graduated from high school. Don was an honors student and captain of the football team. Sports always played an important role in his life — whether participating or observing.

Don attended Yale University, earning a B.S. degree in physics in 1964. He returned to Oregon to attend the University of Oregon where he received an MS degree and then a Ph.D. in physics in 1971.

His first position was at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island in New York. He then spent several years on a gravity-wave experiment at the University of Saskatchewan. From there he moved to southern California and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Don met his wife Joy in high school and celebrated their 61st anniversary last September. They have three children: Heidi, Hillary, and Geoffry Hunter. Don enjoyed spending time with his family, was very proud of his children's accomplishments, and always provided encouragement and support.

Don's passions were photography, birding, sports, and astronomy. In his later years he adopted woodworking as a hobby, creating pieces of furniture for his family. He also enjoyed hiking in the foothills above Altadena and spent a number of years as a docent at Mount Wilson Observatory.

Both before and after retirement, he and Joy traveled to many countries — their last trip abroad was an African safari in Tanzania.

Don is survived by his wife, Joy; his three children; two sisters, Joan Blanger and Carol Woolery; his brother, Robert Strayer; and numerous nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Richard Strayer and Gary Strayer, predeceased him.

A memorial service to celebrate Don's life will be held at 11:00am on June 14, 2022 in the Chapel of the Gardens, Mountain View Mausoleum, 2300 No. Marengo Ave., Altadena, CA 91001.