Joseph G. Strauch Jr., 86, of Lenox, died peacefully at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center on April 14, 2022.
He was born in Buffalo, New York, on June 22, 1935, to the late Joseph and Catherine McDermott Strauch. He attended Amherst Central High School, graduating in 1954.
Joseph attended Antioch College, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry; Oregon State University (PhD in physical chemistry); University of Michigan (PhD in ornithology); and Colorado State University (master’s degree in ornamental horticulture).
He came to the Berkshires to be the director of the Berkshire Botanical Garden in 1989. He later had his own business as a stock photographer specializing in flowers. He was the author of “Wildflowers of the Berkshire and Taconic Hills” (1995).
Joseph was a longtime member of the Lenox Conservation Commission.
He married Elizabeth (Betsy) in Yellow Springs, Ohio, June 16, 1960.
Besides his wife, Elizabeth, of Lenox, Joseph is survived by his children, Anja Loeffel of Red Hook, New York, and Ingrid Strauch of Brooklyn, New York; grandchildren Austin and Allison Loeffel; his sister Margaret (Enzo) Cimino of Schenectady, New York; his sister-in-law Mary (Mark) Mantuani of Eugene, Oregon; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Joseph was predeceased by his sister Rosemary Conners and his grandson Christopher Loeffel.
In keeping with Joseph’s wishes, all services will be private. To share memories and stories, please visit the Roche Funeral Home website.
