Ronald Robert Straub MD

Ronald Robert Straub, MD, 74, passed away on April 1, 2022 from complications after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 48 years, Kathleen Mathews of Haddonfield, NJ; and his sister Carolyn (Stefan) of Boston and their daughter Stefani of New York City.

He was predeceased by his younger brother, Gordon F. Straub of Pittsburgh and his parents Pearl Workley Straub and Robert Norman Straub of Sun Lakes, AZ.

Ron was born in Pittsburgh in 1947. After graduating from high school, he received a BS in Biology at Grove City College in Grove City, PA. From there, he attended Hahnemann Hospital School of Medicine in Philadelphia (where he met Kathy), graduating in 1973.

He joined the Navy after graduation, and was a General Medical Officer with the rank of Lieutenant. He served one year at MCAS Yuma, AZ then onto Oxnard, California’s Naval Base, where he was deployed with the Seabees to Rota, Spain.

He then did his Internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix.

Ron returned to Hahnemann in 1976 for a four-year Residency in Orthopedic Surgery.

In 1980 he began his practice of Orthopedics at Desert Samaritan Hospital (now Banner Desert) in Mesa, AZ. He prided himself on the fact that in 20 years, his mortality and infection rates were miniscule. He also insisted on always seeing his patients on time. He touched and improved so many lives.

Ron retired from Medicine in 2000 and became a personal trainer, where he specialized in training clients who had orthopedic problems.

Ron had so many hobbies! He loved working out, flying aerobatics, playing guitar and mandolin, building HO train sets and making models of ships and airplanes.

He was a true gentleman. He was decent and kind. He was so quiet that most people didn’t know how funny he was. He didn’t speak often, but when he did, he was worth listening to.

He will be missed terribly. He was truly loved.

A ceremony in honor of Ron will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Ron's memory to K9's for Warriors would be appreciated. 114 Camp K9 Rd. Ponte Vedra, FL 32081-7011 (k9sforwarriors.org)