Robert Elwin Strait

Robert E. Strait 72, passed away May 6th 2021 of a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Luren and Elizabeth Strait of Greenville, Michigan, brother William Strait of Riverview, Michigan, sister Ellen Richter of High Ridge, Missouri, and step-daughter Amanda Ross of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is survived by his sons, Patrick and wife Suzy of Las Cruces, NM, Jonathan and his wife Judith of Santa Fe, NM, Jason and his Fiance Mary of Orange Grove, TX, Robert (Bobby) and partner Megan of Austin, TX., step-daughter Gina Catanach of Las Vegas, NM., granddaughter Tracy Jenee Arguello and husband John of Las Vegas, NM, and grandsons Jonathan, Joshua, Jacob, Wyatt, Jason, Benjamin, Rowan, and granddaughter Nancy. Great- grandchildren, Lily, Jake, Sophie, Anthony and Lacy. Nieces Kristen, Stephanie, Lydia and Rachel. Robert graduated from Riverview Community High School in Riverview, Michigan in 1967. He was a proud member of his high school’s swim team that won the Michigan State Championship in 1966 and 1967. He attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan and swam for the NMU Wildcats before answering the call to serve his country and enlisted in the military. After leaving college, Robert began working at Great Lakes Steel Corp. near Detroit in 1968. After entering the U.S. Navy In 1968, he served proudly in Attack Squadron Twenty-Five, “The Fist of the Fleet”, stationed in Lemoore, Ca. and aboard the aircraft carrier, Ticonderoga, CVA-14 in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam in 1969. Robert moved to Santa Fe from Michigan in 1974. He had been employed as a Santa Fe City Police Officer, a Correctional Officer and Lieutenant at the State Penitentiary of New Mexico, a Supervisor at the Santa Fe County Detention Center, a Data Processor at Sun West Bank and various fields at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. Robert was a fun, loving and caring man. He will be missed by all that knew him well. A viewing will be held at Rivera Kiva Chapel of Light on Monday, May 24th from 4pm-6pm followed by a Rosary. On Tuesday May 25th, a mass will be held at San Isidro Catholic Church at 9am, followed by his burial at National Cemetery in Santa Fe at 10:30.