Robert Sinclair Strong MD, age 76, formerly of Franklin County, passed away on the morning of December 6, 2022, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Born in Babylon, Long Island, New York, on September 5, 1946, he was the son of the late Stuart and Ann Miller Strong. Doctor Strong spent 44 years as a family physician in Franklin County, Virginia.

Growing up on Long Island, Robert was an avid sailor, and competed at a high level in sailing during his youth. He was also an avid swimmer, tennis player, and served in The United States Navy. Robert graduated Amherst College in 1968, and in 1972 graduated medical school at the University of Virginia. He met his wife there while playing tennis, and after his residency and a brief time practicing in Tennessee, Doctor Strong settled with his wife Susan in Ferrum, Virginia.

In 1979, Robert and Susan had a son Peter, who was overcome with complications of Trisomy 13. In 1981 they had another son Bryan, and the family lived on a horse farm in the area for the next 45 years. Robert continued to enjoy playing tennis, and riding horses with his wife while practicing medicine in Rocky Mount, Virginia. Robert was an active member of both St. Peter’s Episcopal and Trinity Episcopal Churches at different times. Doctor Strong was president of the board of directors for the Phoebe Needles Center in Callaway, Virginia for 12 years and was very active on his church community boards and medical boards in Roanoke, Virginia.

Robert continued to play tennis, and tend to the farm until the family moved to The Glebe Retirement Community in Daleville, Virginia. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan Majors Brown Strong; and his son, Bryan Strong.