Alan J. Strauss

Alan J. Strauss, of Lexington, on Friday, May 15, 2026.

Predeceased by his beloved wife Marjorie and son Edward. Survived by Ruth & Jonathan Fleischmann of Lexington and Sally & Joe Lang of St. Louis, MO. Loving grandfather of Andrew and Charles Strauss, Sarah & Tristan Riggs, Sydney Fleischmann & Benjamin Wright, Jeremy & Chaney Lang, and Ethan Lang & Emma Guller, and great-grandfather of Harrison, Ari, and Isabel. Dear brother of the late Carlyne Weil and the late Stanley Strauss.

Born on July 30, 1927, he was a proud son of St. Louis, a devoted graduate of the University of Chicago (PhB, SB & PhD), and a 34-year staff member of MIT Lincoln Lab where his materials science research was foundational in the early stages of space travel, lasers, and semiconductors. A lover of the arts, he attended thousands of concerts, plays, and art exhibits. As a lifelong activist for civil rights, equality, and literacy, he marched with Dr. King, volunteered with HRC at Boston Pride, read for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, and served as Librarian at Temple Isaiah. He was a kind and gentle man who never missed a celebration. He was immensely proud of his family, and of the legacy he leaves behind.

There will be a memorial service at Temple Isaiah, 55 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA on Monday, May 18 at 1:00 pm with live-stream viewing available using the following link: https://templeisaiahlexington.livecontrol.tv/e341a103

Burial will be private.

Shiva will take place following the service until 7:00 pm at the Temple.

In honor of Alan’s deep commitment to Judaism, education, civil rights and equality, remembrances may be made to Temple Isaiah templeisaiah.net, University of Chicago https://givetoday.uchicago.edu/, or the ACLU Foundation https://action.aclu.org/give/pm-make-your-gift-aclu-foundation