Maury Strauss, philanthropist and a ‘giant’ of Roanoke, dies at 99

Maury Strauss, one of the “giants” of Roanoke, took it upon himself to improve Roanokers’ lives through his own life experiences, donating millions of dollars to the community in the name of local health care, education and economic development.

But on a personal level, he was a family man, a role model and “a true Southern gentleman.”

Strauss died Monday at age 99.

He graduated from the former Jefferson High School in Roanoke and went on to study at the University of Virginia while training to be a military officer. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce, and later served in the Navy during the end of World War II. During his time in the service, he led supply chains at the battle of Okinawa.

Back in Roanoke, he was a firm believer in giving back to the community that he spent so much time in.

He founded the Strauss Development Corp. and served as president of the Roanoke Valley Homeowners Association, the Virginia Homebuilders Association and Mill Mountain Theatre.

Steven Strauss, one of his two sons, said his father built the development business from the ground up in 1959. He began working with his father in 1977 building houses in the community.

“We helped Roanoke grow and prosper and [made] a place for people where they could make a home and raise their families,” Strauss said Tuesday. The family also donated 26 acres of land in the 1960s to Roanoke County, which now houses Strauss Park and Garst Mill Park.

Steven Strauss said they valued being able to provide jobs within the community. His father’s executive assistant started with the company when she graduated from high school, and stayed with them until she retired.

Maury Strauss’ wife of 65 years, Sheila Strauss, died of cancer in 2016. The couple traveled out of state so she could participate in clinical trials, prompting Maury Strauss to donate $1 million in her honor towards the expansion of Carilion Clinic’s cancer program. He wanted to expand the number and scope of clinical trials available locally.

“Through his philanthropy, Maury leaves a legacy that will benefit our region for years to come,” Ralph Alee, Carilion Clinic’s vice president for philanthropy, said by email Tuesday. “His gift to Carilion in memory of his late wife, Sheila, will advance cancer care for the growing number of patients with the diagnosis. It’s our privilege to continue his work in Sheila’s memory.”

In 2018, Strauss made a $1 million donation to the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute — now the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC — to support its Distinguished Public Lecture Series, a significant outreach event for the institute.

Michael Friedlander, vice president for health sciences and technology at Virginia Tech, said Strauss was “one of the giants [in] the history of Roanoke.” He said that the Maury Strauss Distinguished Public Lecture program is still highly active today, and that Strauss has a lasting legacy.

A year later, Strauss made another $1 million donation, this one to the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation to support economic development initiatives, launching an endowment fund.

The college later dedicated the Maury and Sheila Strauss Family Student Life Center to the Strauss family’s contributions.

“He was very supportive of Virginia Western Community College,” Robert Sandel, president of the college, said Tuesday. He said Strauss wanted the money to be put toward economic development to help people get high-paying jobs.

According to Strauss’ granddaughter Tamarah Strauss, he thought the college was “the perfect space within the community” and he “wanted to make an impact on students in the Roanoke community.”

Most recently, Good Samaritan Hospice, a community-based nonprofit, is bringing the first freestanding hospice house to the Roanoke Valley through a gift made by Strauss.

The 16-bed facility is named the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House after his late wife, who was a client of Good Samaritan. The house is set to welcome patients this fall.

Tamarah Strauss said her grandfather was a mentor and was very present in the lives of all his grandchildren.

“He was an incredibly kind human being, a true Southern gentleman,” she said. “His legacy and impact will certainly never be forgotten for sure.”

He is survived by three children, Lesleigh, Steven and Marc; and five grandchildren.

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