Robert Preston Stringer, III, passed away peacefully in the early morning of July 24, 2023, surrounded in the serenity of his loving family.
Robert was born April 28, 1948, in Orlando, Florida, to the late Mary Cooper Stringer and the late Robert Preston Stringer, junior. Having lived his early years in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was involved in youth sports and school leadership, he later spent his high school years in Forest, Mississippi. A proud graduate of Forest High School (FHS), Robert shared his gifts of music and art by playing the lead guitar in a popular band. His artwork could be found in numerous publications, one of the most noted being the design of the FHS official school seal, which was for many years featured on the cover of the annual yearbook. Robert was particularly gifted in the areas of math and science, as evidenced by being selected the over-all winner of the notable FHS science fair and his future pursuit of a career in architecture.
Robert was a proud graduate of Mississippi State University and an avid follower and supporter of every MSU athletic program. At MSU, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and enjoyed booking notable bands and artists to play on campus. He could always be found up-front and near the band and speakers, which may or may not have contributed to his hearing issues later in life. Notably, Robert was the first student enrolled in the inaugural architecture class at MSU and after long nights and countless CAD renderings, went on to become a member of the American Institute of Architects.
Following his service in the United States Air Force, Robert pursued and honed his architectural endeavors in Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, and Venezuela. The call of the Bulldogs had always been strong, and he spent the last half of his life in Starkville, Mississippi, raising his precious baby girls, Mary Elizabeth and Kathryn Anne, with the love of his life, Liz. During this time, Robert also served as a cartoonist for The Reflector for several years and was named SEC Cartoonist of the Year in 1998. A man of deep faith, Robert was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Starkville.
In addition to the indelible mark Robert left on his family and friends, Robert's talents live on in the cherished art he created for family members, the homes and buildings he designed, the vintage “Bully” and “Flying M” designs he created for The Reflector in the 1960s and 70s that MSU still uses to this day, and even the hand-painted cowbells that ring proudly on game day. A man of tall stature and huge heart, he never met a stranger and was hard to miss in any room with his gregarious nature and unmistakable laugh.
Robert is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Liz) Hawkins Stringer and children Mary Elizabeth Stringer, Kathryn Anne Stringer Mann (Mason), Brad Pettit (Brooke), Robin Geary (Trey), Stacy Peoples (Chris), Robert Preston Stringer IV, and Ashley Paige. Other surviving family include his sisters Jean Ellis (Steve) and Anne Land (Art); his brother John Stringer (Jayne); and his precious grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, all of whom loved him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Robert to: The Bulldog Initiative, LLC, PO Box 1653, Starkville, Ms. 39760 Wounded Warrior Project, woundedwarriorproject.org.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 30, at the Mississippi State University Chapel of Memories (135 Walker Rd., Mississippi State University, Mississippi): visitation at 2:00, service at 3:00, and a reception to follow at The Episcopal Church of Resurrection, 105 N. Montgomery Street, Starkville, Mississippi.
