Donna Strobel and Greg Strobel at National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Weekend in 2012 (Photo/Larry Slater)Funeral services have been announced for Donna Strobel, wife of former Lehigh University wrestling coach Greg Strobel and active leader in the sport in her own right, who died Sunday, January 12 at age 67.
A Celebration of Donna Strobel's life will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Packer Memorial Chapel on the campus of Lehigh University, 18 University Drive, Bethlehem, Pa.. The family will receive relatives and friends from 11:00 a.m. until time of the service. Friends may share memories and tributes at the Long Funeral Home website.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Donna Strobel's memory to The Sandye Caruso Memorial Endowment Nursing Scholarship Fund. Address: St. Luke's Hospital c/o Development Office, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015.
In its tribute to Donna Strobel, USA Wrestling described her as "a longtime employee for the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association and a leader in the sport" as well as "wife of Hall of Fame inductee Greg Strobel, a past USA Wrestling staff member and currently USA Wrestling's Second Vice President."
Rick Tucci, president of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association, said this of Donna Strobel's contributions to the organization and its members: "She was so close to the officials. She ran the organization for so many years. She was always respected. Donna and Greg have always been a part of my life. It is hard to put into words what she meant to the organization and to me. When I heard about it, it was like losing a member of my family. Donna knew wrestling. She knew people. She always had an open mind. She allowed me to express my thoughts, frustrations and concerns. She would give me the most valuable advice I could get. It was based upon my love for her and her love for me. I am going to miss her."
Bruce Baumgartner, USA Wrestling President, and, before that, four-time Olympic medalist wrestler, said, "I knew Donna and Greg since 1982. I babysat their kids back in Stillwater, Okla. when they worked with USA Wrestling. Greg was one of my coaches in my corner when I competed. My wife Linda and I have known Donna and Greg for so long. She was loved in the wrestling community and was involved for so many years. It was a shock to me. It is sad to lose someone who meant so much to so many people."
In announcing Donna Strobel's passing and how she will be honored, USA Wrestling shared this statement from Rich Bender, the organization's Executive Director: "Our thoughts go out to Greg, his daughters Christina and Jennifer, and their entire family. Donna's passing was a huge loss to the entire wrestling community. Her contributions throughout the years have been significant, both as a USA Wrestling staff member and a leader with the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association. The wrestling community will miss her joyful presence. Donna was a dear friend to many of us in the sport, and we are all saddened by her loss."
Born in Portland, Oregon on Jan. 25, 1952, Donna M. (Chandler) Strobel was the daughter of the late Leo and Barbara (Graham) Chandler. She was a 1970 graduate of Marshall High School in Portland, Oregon who went on to attend Oregon State University. Donna Strobel leaves behind her husband of 45 years, Greg; two daughters, Christina and Jennifer; a brother and a sister; and four grandchildren.
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