Robert Early Strawbridge Jr.

Robert Early Strawbridge Jr. (November 17, 1896 – March 6, 1986) was an American polo champion and chairman of the United States Polo Association.[1]

Robert Early Strawbridge Jr.
Strawbridge, playing on the Hurricane team in the Open Polo Championships, Meadowbrook Club, 1934
Chairman of the United States Polo Association
In office
1936–1950
Preceded byElbridge T. Gerry Sr.
Succeeded byDevereux Milburn
Personal details
Born(1896-11-17)November 17, 1896
DiedMarch 6, 1986(1986-03-06) (aged 89)
Chatham, Pennsylvania
Spouse(s)
Florence Julia Loew
​
​
(m. 1931; died 1973)​
ChildrenRobert Early Strawbridge III
Florence Strawbridge McDonough
ParentsRobert E. Strawbridge
Anita Berwind Strawbridge
Alma materHarvard University

Early life
Portrait of Robert's sister, Anita Strawbridge Grosvenor, by Philip de László, 1931.

He was born on November 17, 1896 to Anita (née Berwind) Strawbridge (1875–1942),[2] and Robert E. Strawbridge, former president of the Strawbridge & Clothier department store in Philadelphia.[3] His sister was Anita Strawbridge (wife of Lt. Cmdr. Hon. Theodore P. Grosvenor).[4][5]

His paternal grandfather was Justus Clayton Strawbridge, who founded Strawbridge & Clothier in 1868.[6] His maternal grandfather was Charles Frederick Berwind, founder of the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company. His aunt, Frederica, was the wife of banker Henry Herman Harjes, J.P. Morgan's partner in France.[7] His two other maternal aunts were Gertrude, Baroness Boecklin,[8] and Edith, Baroness Von Kleist.[9] From his great aunt Julia Berwind, he received a legacy of $170,000.

He attended Harvard University from 1915 to 1917.[10]

Career

Strawbridge was a lifelong sportsman. In 1913, his father had been made M.F.H. of the famous Cottesmore Hunt, becoming the first American to become master of an English pack of foxhounds. In the 1920's and 1930's, Strawbridge Jr. was one of the nation's leading polo players earning a 9-goal handicap. In 1924, he was a member of the Meadow Brook team that "wrested the historical International Challenge Cup from the English team in International Field, L.I., when the Prince of Wales was among the spectators."[11] He was elected chairman of the United States Polo Association in 1936 and retained the post for two decades until 1950 when he was succeeded by Devereux Milburn. He was inducted into the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in 1996.

In 1938, Strawbridge served as chairman of the Salvation Army annual fundraising appeal. Beginning in 1942, Strawbridge was partner of the former New York investment banking firm of Reynolds, Fish & Company. During World War II, he was a Lieutenant commander in the United States Navy Reserve assigned to duty with the Office of Strategic Services in London and Washington. He also served as a member of the executive committee of the United Service Organizations, the advisory board of the Salvation Army, and the Army and Navy Committee of the Y.M.C.A. He was a member of the Board of Managers of Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital.

Personal life

On August 15, 1931, Strawbridge was married to Miss Porter's School alumnus Florence Julia Loew (1901–1972) at Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island.[11][12] Florence was a daughter of William Goadby Loew and the former Florence Bellows Baker (a daughter of financier George Fisher Baker, one of the wealthiest men in America).[13] She grew up in her parent's townhouse at 56 East 93rd Street and their estates in Newport and Tuxedo Park. Together, they were the parents of a son and a daughter:

  • Robert Early Strawbridge III, who married Alexandra White, daughter of Ogden White and granddaughter of Alexander Moss White (founder of White Weld & Co.), in 1964.[14]
  • Florence T. Strawbridge, who married Michael McDonough, son of Charles J. McDonough of Buffalo, New York, in June 1965.[15][16]

He was a member of a number of clubs, including the Philadelphia Club, the Rabbit Club, the Merion Cricket Club and the Rose Tree Fox Hunt.[11]

Strawbridge died at his farm in Chatham, Pennsylvania on March 6, 1986 after suffering a series of strokes.[1] He was buried in Church of the Redeemer Cemetery in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

References
  1. "Robert Strawbridge Jr. Dies. Former Polo Star and Official". New York Times. March 8, 1986. Retrieved 2011-03-29. Robert E. Strawbridge Jr., one of the nation's leading polo players in the 1920s and 1930s and a longtime official of the sport, died Thursday at his farm in Chatham, Pa. ... He was elected chairman of the United States Polo Association in 1936 and retained the post for two decades.
  2. TIMES, Special to The NEW YORK (21 July 1942). "MRS. STRAWBRIDGE DEAD IN NEWPORT; Wife of the Vice President of Philadelphia Department Store Stricken on Visit ACTIVE IN CIVIC AFFAIRS Had Been Commended by Queen Elizabeth for Work in Aiding British Relief" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  3. Times, Special to The New York (25 December 1963). "Robert Strawbridge Dies at 93; Headed Department Store Chain" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  4. "Grosvenor--Strawbridge" (PDF). The New York Times. 15 June 1923. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  5. TIMES, Wireless to THE NEW YORK (18 January 1931). "HON. ANITA GROSVENOR HURT AS HORSE FALLS; Former Miss Strawbridge of Philadelphia Thrown in RidingWith Cottesmore Hounds" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  6. "Robert Early Strawbridge Jr". Retrieved 2012-11-22. Robert Early Strawbridge Jr. was the grandson of Justus C. Strawbridge, a founder of the Strawbridge & Clothier department store chain of Philadelphia. His mother was Anita Berwind, the daughter of Charles Berwind, whose brother, Edward J. Berwind, was a director of the Guaranty Trust
  7. Times, Special to The New York (14 June 1954). "MRS. PORTER, AIDED FRANCE IN 2 WARS; Organizer of Hospital at the Front in 1914 Dies---Set Up Relief Groups Here" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  8. "BARONESS BOECKLIN.; Former Gertrude Berwind of Philadelphia Dies in Geneva" (PDF). The New York Times. 10 October 1929. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  9. "Deaths" (PDF). The New York Times. 12 December 1963. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  10. Harvard University alumni directory. Harvard University. 1919. Retrieved 2012-11-22. Robert Early Strawbridge Jr., Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
  11. "FLORENCE J. LOEW ENGAGED TO MARRY; Granddaughter of the Late George F. Baker to Be Bride of R.E. Strawbridge Jr. NEWPORT CEREMONY AUG. 15 To Take Place In Trinity Church-- Bridegroom-Elect Noted Polo Player --Fiancee Fond of Sports" (PDF). The New York Times. 28 July 1931. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  12. Times, Special to The New York (31 July 1931). "MISS FLORENCE LOEW TO MARRY ON AUG. 15; Simple Ceremony to Mark Her Wedding to R.E. Strawbridge in Trinity Church, Newport, R.I." (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  13. "EASTER MONDAY NUPTIALS; Miss Florence Baker Is Married to William Goadby Loew at All Souls' Church. CLARKSON-CLARKSON WEDDING The Rev. William M. Grosvenor Performs the Ceremony at the Incarnation Church -- Miss Dunham Becomes Mrs. Luling -- Other Marriages" (PDF). The New York Times. 12 April 1898. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  14. "Alexandra White And a Bank Aide Marry in Jersey; She Is Attended by 12 at Wedding to Robert E. Strawbridge 3d" (PDF). The New York Times. 28 June 1964. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  15. Times, Special to The New York (25 February 1965). "Michael McDonough to Wed Miss Florence Strawbridge" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  16. "Miss Florence Strawbridge Married; Bradford Graduate: Is Bride of Michael McDonough on L.L" (PDF). The New York Times. 6 June 1965. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
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