Richard Strauss

Richard Strauss Richard Franklin Strauss, 70, was born May 2, 1946, in New York City to Max and Ania Strauss. He died, peacefully, in the company of his wife Martha and daughter Laura, on February 8, 2017 in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico after a long battle with metastatic melanoma cancer. Richard graduated from Coral Gables High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government, English Literature and Music from the University of Miami in Coral Gables. He then went on to achieve a Master of Arts in Government and Public Finance from Claremont Graduate Center in Claremont California. Richard had a long career as a Health Care Administrator that allowed him to live and experience much of the country including New York, Washington D. C., San Diego, CA, Denver, CO, Phoenix, AZ and Albuquerque, NM. Wherever he lived his first loves were always music and people. Richard was an accomplished cellist who remained dedicated to his craft from a very young age until the very end. He was a member of the Syracuse Symphony as well as various orchestras, quartets, and musical theater groups in each of the cities he lived. He played alongside musicians ranging from Frank Sinatra to Rod Stewart. He loved all types of music including classical, religious, musicals and recently Celtic music. He was willing to try the most demanding modern piece and loved Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Mozart, Yo-Yo Ma and whatever music he was playing at the moment. Richard loved travel and meeting new friends. He traveled to Europe to visit family, and to Mexico, Canada, and countless other locations for fun. Richard's dedication and love of music translated to teaching as well. He taught adults to play the cello and enjoyed doing so but during his last years he taught very young musicians through the Young Musician's Initiative (YMI), a program sponsored by the NM Philharmonic. He grew to love his young cellists and hoped they would have the opportunity to continue to learn focus, and the value of community, discipline and personal respect through this fine program. His wish was that in lieu of flowers or other donations that donations might be made to YMI. The best way to do this is to send a check to the NM Philharmonic Orchestra with use marked for YMI; 3035 Menaul Blvd NE #2, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Richard is survived by his loving wife Martha; daughter Laura Strauss; son Andrew Strauss and his wife Viviana; step-daughter Suzi Perez and her husband Adrian; step-daughter Diana Rehfuss; step-son Anthony Rehfuss and his wife Deborah; step-son Stanley Rehfuss and his wife Linda Zittleman. He is also survived by his grandchildren Tommy Lower and Catherine Lower; step-grandson Matthew Surbey; step-granddaughter Leonie Sobek; sister Katherine Sheil; niece Joanna Sheil; nephew Brian Sheil; and his parents-in-law Dorothy and Robb Minor. There will be a private musical celebration of Richard's life at friend's home in March. Arrangements entrusted to: