LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Arnold's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

MADISON - Arnold “Arnie” A. Strassenburg, age 98, of Madison, passed away peacefully at his residence and in the company of family on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. He was born on June 8, 1927, in Victoria, Minn., the son of Otto Strassenburg and Wilhemine "Minna" Techter.

Arnie graduated from Lake Forest High School and served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1947. He attended Illinois Institute of Technology for his B.S. and California Institute of Technology where he completed his Ph.D. dissertation in particle physics.

Arnie’s career began at University of Kansas, where students voted him best teacher. In 1966, he went to Stony Brook University where he continued teaching and promoting physics through national and international organizations, including the College Board and International Baccalaureate, among numerous others. He was invited to promote physics education around the world, particularly throughout Asia and Europe; he served as Executive Officer of the American Association of Physics Teachers from 1972-1982. His service in these organizations reflected his commitment to education and his deep respect for the discipline of science; he retired in 1998 at age 71. He deeply valued making a difference, and while his career accomplishments were many, he most cherished the legacy he left in and for his children.

Arnie took pride in his role as a father, helping raise five children spanning two generations with a 35-year age difference from his first to last born. His hard work and disciplined frugality afforded his family comfortable homes, educational opportunities, and positioned his children for success. He consistently prioritized their needs and opportunities above his own. In his retirement, he was still raising two teens into his late-70s. His dedication and energy filled an incredible life with two families from different eras.

Arnie enjoyed traveling the world and sharing this passion on trips with his children, including notable destinations like the Amazon, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Galapagos Islands. At 90, he rode in a helicopter to dogsled on an Alaskan glacier with family.

Throughout his life, he was an avid reader and arts lover. As a teenager, he was the lead of a big band. For decades, he attended ballet, opera, orchestra, and theater performances wherever he lived. His days were filled with classical and jazz music he listened to from his extensive collection and reading books, scientific magazines, and the newspaper cover-to-cover. He held strong political convictions and hoped to live to vote in the next election.

Arnie enjoyed daily letter writing, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku puzzles. He was a dedicated letter writer throughout his life, even into his late 90s, corresponding with family, friends, and colleagues through pen and paper - never owning a cell phone or email address - and he maintained a meticulous log to ensure fair and even spacing between letters. He was still reading and solving puzzles until mere days before his passing.

Arnie was a man of strong morals and principles. He lived his life with an unwavering sense of right and wrong. He was humble, perpetually hard-working, and driven to provide a better life for his loved ones.

Arnie is survived by his children, Jeffery Strassenburg, Gary Strassenburg, Lee Shanahan (husband Lucas Dailey), and Sean Strassenburg (wife Laura Donnelly); grandchildren, Sara, Avery, Ellie, Saoirse, and Sylvain; five great-grandchildren; and former spouse, Helen Pan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilhemine and Otto; brothers, Frank and Walter; sisters, Ellen and Ruth; first wife, Louise; and daughter Sandra.

A time of sharing will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Family and friends will be invited to share a story or memory. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Arnold’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on Watch Now in the Webcast section. A memorial gathering will follow until 1 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Madison Public library: https://mplfoundation.org/donate/.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

Arnold Strassenburg

June 08, 1927 - June 24, 2025

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