Arthur Adolph Strunk

Arthur Adolph “Art” Strunk, of Raleigh, NC, peacefully passed away at the age of 95 on February 16, 2026. He was born on September 17, 1930 in Jamaica, Queens, New York, to Arthur and Phyllis Bond Strunk. Art was raised in the town of Baldwin, NY, graduating high school there, and later attending and graduating from nearby Hofstra University. He was an outstanding wrestler for Hofstra, with a record of 36 wins and 2 draws. Art was conference champion in 1952 after winning the 145-pound Individual Interstate Intercollegiate Invitational (4I) Tournament title. A NCAA Championship qualifier that year, he was also the Metropolitan New York and New York State AAU champion in 1951. Art was champion at the 1952 New York Metropolitan Area District

Olympic Tryouts where he was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler. Art then competed in the 1952 U.S. Olympic Trials, but he did not qualify for the Olympic team. His overall record in his four years at Hofstra (including AAU and Olympic Trial competition) was 72 wins, 13 losses and two ties.

Art graduated in 1952 with a degree in marketing. Shortly thereafter, he married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Purdy. Jeannette was the absolute center of Art’s world and theirs was a love affair that lasted over 70 years. They were a true example of

lifelong love and commitment to their children and all who knew them.

A member of the U.S. Naval Reserve while at Hofstra, Art went to Officer Candidate School and after being commissioned went on active duty. He subsequently augmented into the regular Navy. During his time in the Navy, Art served on six ships and several

major staffs. His most notable assignments were as commanding officer of USS Brister, a destroyer escort that saw duty in Vietnam and the western Pacific, and USS Hank, a destroyer based in Philadelphia. He also served on the staff of the Commander in Chief Pacific Command during the Vietnam War, and his final assignment was in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. During his tour of duty in the Pentagon, Art earned a master’s degree in computer systems management from George Washington University in 1973. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his performance on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and retired in 1974 with the rank of Captain.

Returning to Long Island, Art served more than five years as vice president of operations during the start-up of Nassau OTB. After leaving Nassau OTB, Art was in the private sector until he joined the faculty at Queensborough Community College where he originated the first in the nation microcomputer course specifically designed for accounting majors and co-authored a computer lab textbook.

Following his retirement from Queensborough in 1992, Art and Jeannette moved to Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, where they enjoyed many active years, filled with visits from their children and grandchildren. They later moved to Lynchburg and Richmond in

Virginia, and finally to an independent living community in Raleigh, NC. Art was a dedicated volunteer and church officer at First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin in New York and Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta, Virginia. He was also involved with the

Ruritans in Moneta and earned the honor of Ruritan of the Year.

Art is survived by his 5 children - Jeanne E. Strunk, of Farmville, VA; Edward A. Strunk and wife Jacalyn, of Harrisonburg, VA; Arthur F. Strunk and wife Julie, of Harrisonburg, VA; David D. Strunk and wife Nancy, of Mathews, NC; and Jennifer S. Baccus and

husband Jarrod, of Raleigh, NC. Also surviving are grandchildren Arthur D. Strunk and wife Kelly, Allison M. Strunk, Amy L. Strunk, Erin K. Kapoor and husband Karn, Rebecca S. Hartneck, Michael D. Strunk, Andrew N. Strunk and wife Elizabeth, Emma D. Petruccelli with husband Chris, Weldon R. Dement IV, and Mary Evans Baccus, as well as 7 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Art’s two sisters, Marjorie Shuart of Garden City, NY, and Phyllis Stevens of Chatham, NJ.

Art will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, next to his beloved wife Jeannette, with full military honors. A date of burial is to be determined. Art was passionate about

charitable giving, so his family encourages those who may wish to make donations in his memory, to do so to organizations that are dedicated to finding cures for the multitude of diseases and conditions that affect us all.