Herbert H. Strauss, 88

Herbert Strauss

NORWAY — Herbert H. Strauss, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away quietly with his wife at his side on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, after fighting brain cancer for 11 months.

Herb was born in Vienna, Austria, on March 27, 1929. He immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1938. He grew up in New York City and joined the Boy Scouts at age 12. As a Boy Scout, Herb attained the rank of Eagle.
 After graduating from Adelphi University, Herb became an executive with the Boy Scouts, where he served for about 10 years. He then became the assistant director of Development at Rider University, where he met and married his second wife, Lois Richardson. He worked for the Tamblyn and Brown Fundraising firm, and later served as a regional director with the Multiple Sclerosis Society, after which he was the national field director with the Epilepsy Foundation.

Herb and Lois moved to Maine in 1981. After a couple of years at Point Sebago in Casco, they purchased Papoose Pond Family Resort and Cabins in Waterford. He managed Papoose Pond for much of the rest of his life until recently selling it to his daughter, Kitty and son-in-law Duncan.

Herb was a huge advocate for the campground industry. He served on the boards of both the Maine Campground Owners Association, as its president, and the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds as treasurer and assistant chairman of the board. Herb was also a founder, as well as a longtime instructor, for the National School of RV Parks and Campground Management.

In 2012, Herb was awarded ARVC’s prestigious Pioneer Award for his many contributions to the campground industry.

Herb loved the water. He was a lifeguard in high school and college and competed on his college swim team. As an adult, Herb owned sailboats and enjoyed spending every weekend on his boat. He took weeklong cruises whenever possible. Later, he enjoyed cruise ships, traveling around the world and exploring exotic ports.

For many years, Herb enjoyed downhill skiing with his wife and two sons. 
Herb served several terms on the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Norway-Paris Chapter of Kiwanis. He also served as a counselor for the Oxford Hills Chapter of SCORE.

Herb is survived by his wife, Lois Strauss and his first wife, Jean Henneke Dean; children Bill Strauss, Bob Strauss and Kitty Winship; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27 at Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street (Route 26), Oxford. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, at the Oxford Advent Christian Church. Burial will follow at Pulpit Rock Cemetery, Route 118, Waterford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norway-Paris Kiwanis Club or the Oxford Hills Chapter of SCORE.