Louis Rae Straub Sr.

“Louie” was born in Louisville on September 5, 1928 to the late Alfred P. Straub, and Lena Haller Straub.  Louie attended Prestonia grade school, and graduated from Louisville Male High School in 1945, where he was a member of the ROTC and the Halleck Literary Society.  He obtained a Bachelor of History degree from Centre College in 1950.  At Centre, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, served as President of the YMCA, and Editor for the Centre Annual.  He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Louisville in 1953.  While in law school, he founded the “Wandering Greeks Club.”

Louie was a kind hearted man with a positive attitude who was welcoming to everyone.  He looked fondly upon his days as a young man working in his father’s grocery store located at the corner of Clay & Kentucky streets in Louisville.  He often reminisced of his years at Centre and of the months he spent in Europe with his friend Bill Burbank in the summer of 1950.   

After becoming a lawyer, Louie served in the Strategic Air Command with the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  He was an attorney in the JAG Corps stationed in Buffalo, NY and Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts from 1953 to 1955.  Louie returned to Louisville where he started his private law practice and business endeavors.

In the early 1960’s one of his favorite endeavors was the 1880 Club at 1246 S. Third Street, which was often visited by celebrities, socialites and Louisville leaders.  During that time, he met the love of his life, Beatrice Clara (Gauck) Straub.  They were married for 54 years and enjoyed a wonderful life together.

Louie loved the law and he was passionate about helping people.   He was a member of the Louisville Bar Association and the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors. He donated thousands of legal hours to non-profit causes, troubled families and the Catholic Church.   Louie practiced law well into his 80s and in his more than 60-year career, he assisted countless people.

Louie was a dedicated member of the Catholic faith.  He attended Holy Trinity Church for decades where he chaired the Parish Council.  He was an active member and President of the Serra Club.  He was the visionary that started the Catholic TV show “Mass of the Air.”  He and Bea were active members of Right to Life and Catholics in Action, where he received the Defender of the Faith award in 2007.  He served on the Board of Directors of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Louisville, and was a past President and recipient of the Top Hat Award.

For 26 years Louie and Bea hosted a large group in their home called the "Charismatic Counselors" made up of local attorneys and family members who met monthly to pray, advocate for good causes, and help others.

Louie was also grateful for all the wonderful relationships with so many friends and extended family members over the past nine decades.  Both Louie and Bea often shared engaging stories about their beloved friends and family.

Louie was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice Clara (Gauck) Straub, his sister Ruth Marie (Straub) Gordon, his brother Richard Alfred Straub, and two siblings that died in infancy. Left to cherish his memory are his three sons Louis R. Straub II (Elizabeth), John Paul Straub (Robin), and Matt Straub (Susan), all of Louisville.  He is also survived by two beautiful grandchildren, Madeline Straub and Anna Claire Straub.

His family is so very blessed for the guidance, leadership and the example of Christianity that Louie provided for all of us.  His memory and legacy will forever be held deeply in our hearts, and he will be greatly missed.   

Visitation will be held at Arch L. Heady & Son at 7410 Westport Road in Louisville, KY on Thursday, February 4th from 3 – 7 PM (with a prayer service at 6:45 PM).  Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 5th at 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church located at 3345 Lexington Road. For those unable to attend the funeral in person, you can view it live online at the following address: https://www.facebook.com/holyspiritlouky.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Louisville.

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Louis R. Straub, Sr., 92, passed away peacefully in his home on January 31, 2021 in Louisville, KY. 

“Louie” was born in Louisville on September 5, 1928 to the late Alfred P. Straub, and Lena Haller Straub.  Louie attended Prestonia grade school, and graduated from Louisville Male High School in 1945, where he was a member of the ROTC and the Halleck Literary Society.  He obtained a Bachelor of History degree from Centre College in 1950.  At Centre, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, served as President of the YMCA, and Editor for the Centre Annual.  He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Louisville in 1953.  While in law school, he founded the “Wandering Greeks Club.”

Louie was a kind hearted man with a positive attitude who was welcoming to everyone.  He looked fondly upon his days as a young man working in his father’s grocery store located at the corner of Clay & Kentucky streets in Louisville.  He often reminisced of his years at Centre and of the months he spent in Europe with his friend Bill Burbank in the summer of 1950.   

After becoming a lawyer, Louie served in the Strategic Air Command with the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  He was an attorney in the JAG Corps stationed in Buffalo, NY and Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts from 1953 to 1955.  Louie returned to Louisville where he started his private law practice and business endeavors.

In the early 1960’s one of his favorite endeavors was the 1880 Club at 1246 S. Third Street, which was often visited by celebrities, socialites and Louisville leaders.  During that time, he met the love of his life, Beatrice Clara (Gauck) Straub.  They were married for 54 years and enjoyed a wonderful life together.

Louie loved the law and he was passionate about helping people.   He was a member of the Louisville Bar Association and the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors. He donated thousands of legal hours to non-profit causes, troubled families and the Catholic Church.   Louie practiced law well into his 80s and in his more than 60-year career, he assisted countless people.

Louie was a dedicated member of the Catholic faith.  He attended Holy Trinity Church for decades where he chaired the Parish Council.  He was an active member and President of the Serra Club.  He was the visionary that started the Catholic TV show “Mass of the Air.”  He and Bea were active members of Right to Life and Catholics in Action, where he received the Defender of the Faith award in 2007.  He served on the Board of Directors of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Louisville, and was a past President and recipient of the Top Hat Award.

For 26 years Louie and Bea hosted a large group in their home called the "Charismatic Counselors" made up of local attorneys and family members who met monthly to pray, advocate for good causes, and help others.

Louie was also grateful for all the wonderful relationships with so many friends and extended family members over the past nine decades.  Both Louie and Bea often shared engaging stories about their beloved friends and family.

Louie was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice Clara (Gauck) Straub, his sister Ruth Marie (Straub) Gordon, his brother Richard Alfred Straub, and two siblings that died in infancy. Left to cherish his memory are his three sons Louis R. Straub II (Elizabeth), John Paul Straub (Robin), and Matt Straub (Susan), all of Louisville.  He is also survived by two beautiful grandchildren, Madeline Straub and Anna Claire Straub.

His family is so very blessed for the guidance, leadership and the example of Christianity that Louie provided for all of us.  His memory and legacy will forever be held deeply in our hearts, and he will be greatly missed.   

Visitation will be held at Arch L. Heady & Son at 7410 Westport Road in Louisville, KY on Thursday, February 4th from 3 – 7 PM (with a prayer service at 6:45 PM).  Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 5th at 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church located at 3345 Lexington Road. For those unable to attend the funeral in person, you can view it live online at the following address: https://www.facebook.com/holyspiritlouky.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Louisville.