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By Melissa Goldin
Brooklyn Daily
Carl Strauss, a beloved physician, family man, and philanthropist, died Aug. 6 from natural causes. He was 92.
Strauss was a family doctor for more than 50 years who devoted his life to treating generations of Brooklyn families — including that of our own Carmine Santa Maria — mostly in Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, and Coney Island, a dedication perhaps best expressed by his motto: “from the womb to the tomb.”
“Payment to him was just a small token,” said Elton Strauss, his son. “He was more concerned about the patient getting well.”
A physician from days gone by, Strauss made house calls throughout his career. He delivered more than 5,000 babies during that time, the first of which are now in their 60s. Patients continued to consult with him even after he retired at age 78 and children who had moved out of Brooklyn would often return to see him if they had a problem their local physicians couldn’t address, said Elton.
Strauss was a compassionate, understated man who went into medicine with the hope that he could truly help people. He was also known for being a brilliant diagnostician and who cared about the mental and emotional states of his patients in addition to their physical well-being, according to Bonnie Carroll, his daughter.
“He treated the whole person,” she said.
At home, Strauss, a Bushwick native, was a strict but encouraging father who stressed the importance of education. He was married to his wife, Shirley, for 67 years — the pair lived in Flatbush and Manhattan Beach for approximately 30 years each and moved to East Midwood two years ago. A true polymath, medicine was not his only passion — he had a soft spot for Shakespeare and loved “Star Trek.” He also made a hobby of painting and sculpting, often working on projects late into the evening while waiting on a maternity case.
“He was an all-around guy,” said Elton. “He never had a bad word to say about anybody.”
His commitment to health reached beyond the workplace. He donated both his time and money to numerous organizations over the years, including the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization, the East Midwood Jewish Center, Turning Point, a rehabilitation center for young adults with addictions, and Mount Sinai Hospital. He was named Bensonhurst’s Man of Year by the West End Community Group in 1993 among several other similar honors.
Strauss earned his Bachelor’s degree in biology at Brooklyn College and went to medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Funeral services were held at Sherman’s Memorial Chapel in Midwood on Aug. 11 with nearly 300 guests in attendance. Contributions can be made to East Midwood Jewish Center, Temple Beth El in Manhattan Beach, or Turning Point.
Strauss is survived by Shirley, 86, Elton, 63, Carroll, 61, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.