Lifetime Service Robert Strange wrestled in an era unfamiliar to most. Wrestling was in its infancy having been an IHSA recognized sport only since 1937. In the first three State Tournaments (1937, 1938, 1939) there was no official match scoring. Matches were determined basically by a fall, riding time or an official's judgment. It was in this early era that Robert set a record that would go unequaled until 1955; a State Qualifier in 1938, Robert went on to win three individual State Championships while wrestling for Lawrenceville in 1939, 1940 and 1941. Robert Strange thus became Illinois' first three-time State Champion. Upon graduating from Lawrenceville in 1942, Robert entered the U. S. Army where he served for a period of three years. Following his military service, Robert entered the University of Illinois where he continued his wrestling career. An injury during the NCAA Tournament brought Bob's competitive career to an end. In 1952 Robert took a teaching position at Lawrenceville High School and coached a variety of sports "” but not wrestling. Lawrenceville had dropped wrestling two years following Robert's last title. However, Robert's tenacity bore fruit as the program was re-instituted in 1962 "” of course Robert was its coach. As Lawrenceville's program slowly but surely prospered, other area schools began to sponsor squads. Many attributed wrestling's "comeback" in the area to the efforts of Robert Strange. In 1972 Robert Strange became a Charter Member of the IWCOA Hall of Fame. In 1979 Robert was honored as a Grand Marshal at the IHSA Individual State Championships. In 2000 a Chicago newspaper named Robert Strange to Illinois Wrestling Team of the Century. And, finally, the Lawrenceville High School honored Bob as a Charter Member of its Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.