LOS ANGELES, CA — Robert Draper Stratton, age 92, passed peacefully from natural causes on December 23, 2020, surrounded by his wife Carolyn Cushman Stratton and their two living children, Susan Stratton Pruitt and Robert Pembroke Stratton. A third child, Catharine Ranney Stratton, predeceased him.
Bob was born on November 2, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA to Leslie Pembroke Stratton and Eleanor Speakman Stratton. He graduated from Woodberry Forest High School (1946), University of Virginia (BA 1950) and New York University (MBA 1957). He served active duty in the US Navy from 1950 to 1954, first on the destroyer Holden and then on the submarines Irex and Sea Robin. While finishing his MBA he was recruited by international conglomerate WR Grace to work with their operations in Latin America. At the same time he met future wife Carolyn Cushman at a party on Jones Beach and they were married in Hartland-4-Corners Vermont on June 9th,1956.
Thus began his many adventures living abroad, raising a family and running a series of businesses, mostly in the paper industry, in many countries around the world. First were 10 years in South America (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador), where children Cate, Bob Jr, and Susan were born. Then back to the US for 2 years in New Jersey and 3 years in New York City. After that came 6 years in Bangkok Thailand (1970-1976) as Managing Director of Siam Kraft Paper Co., followed by 2-3 year postings running paper mills in Lagos, Nigeria (1977-1979), Guatemala (1979-1980), Vancouver, Canada (1980-1982) and the Philippines (1982-1985).
Two of their most rewarding achievements were the houses they built in the US that served as the family home base in a life of travel. The first was a pair of geodesic domes built on Block Island. The second was Rebarn, an old hay barn on their Vermont property that they moved on top of a hill with beautiful views of the Green Mountains, and extensively renovated with reclaimed wood from other barns. Bob and Carol retired to Rebarn in 1985. Bob continued pursuing his life-long passions for Astronomy, Art, Photography, World Affairs, Travel, and Sailing. Not only did they constantly host a myriad of friends and family stopping in from all parts but led group trips around the world. In 2017 they moved to the independent living facility The Woodlands in Lebanon NH, where they cherished their many wonderful friends and acquaintances. Finally there was the cross-country move to daughter Susan’s home in LA, where Bob spent his last 8 months.
In addition to Carol and his children, Bob is survived by 6 grandchildren (Lucas Ruiz, Willy Ruiz, Will Pruitt, Jackson Pruitt, Fia Stratton and Vin Stratton) and one newly arrived great-grandchild (Ronan Stratton Ruiz).