Joseph T. Strong, research engineer in the Genome Sequencing Center (GSC) at the School of Medicine, died in a bicycle accident Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006, in south St. Louis County. He was 36.
Strong, a University employee for nearly 10 years, was a mechanical engineer in the GSC’s technology development group, where he designed, built and maintained robotic instrumentation.
“He was very skilled in helping us build robotics that nobody else could build,” said Elaine Mardis, Ph.D., associate professor of genetics and co-director of the GSC. “He was also a mentor to many people in the group because of his background and knowledge.”
Mardis continued, “Joe was very helpful by nature and had a wonderful sense of humor.”
Strong recently had moved into a management role at the center.
“He was really laid back, down to earth and loved in the department,” said Kelly Carpenter, manager of technical services at the center.
Carpenter continued, “His work helped the genome project go forward.”
Described by co-workers as “an all-around good guy,” Strong enjoyed refurbishing old cars, including Volkswagen Beetles and an Austin Healey “Bugeye” Sprite. He had won competitions for his work on the cars.
Strong is survived by his wife, Cindy, research lab manager in the GSC; sons, Benjamin, 2, and Steven, 4 months; his parents; and seven sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made at any UMB Bank to individual accounts established for Benjamin and Steven Strong.