Thomas Strama, M.D. Memorial

Thomas Strama, MD, a longtime Houston physician, died peacefully at the age of 85 on September 20, 2022 in Austin, Texas, where he had retired with his wife of 60 years, Brenda Trabulsi Strama. He was born on November 21, 1936 in Brownsville, Texas to Stanley W. Strama and Ruth Weich Strama.

Tom is survived by his wife Brenda; three children, Kimberly Strama Cohen (Jeffrey Cohen), Thomas Mark Strama (Crystal Cotti), and Richard Keith Strama (Virginia Gaiennie Strama); 10 grandchildren, Zachary Cohen, Alexandra Cohen, Olivia Cohen, Victoria Strama, Caroline Strama, Emma Strama, Marion Cass Strama, Kathryn Strama, Amelie Strama, and Thomas Strama; his brother Richard Strama (Nancy); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of his life will be held in Austin; date, time and location are not yet finalized. Please click here to be notified when details are available.

Tom was raised in Miami Springs, Florida. After excelling academically in high school, he attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service for his undergraduate degree and a masters degree in economics, and graduated both summa cum laude. He worked at the FBI while an undergraduate.

As a graduate student in economics, he met his wife Brenda Trabulsi, an undergraduate student at Georgetown from Houston. They married in 1962, and Tom pivoted from economics to medicine. He attended medical school at the University of Miami and did a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

In Houston he delivered hundreds of babies and touched the lives of thousands of patients, nurses, and medical students who valued the professionalism, compassion, and competence he brought to his profession. He and his partners at Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates founded the Woman’s Hospital of Texas. Dr. Strama enjoyed meeting his patients and their children, who were effusive in their appreciation of his services whenever they encountered a member of his family - an experience that family members grew accustomed to and enjoyed.

Upon retirement, Tom and Brenda moved to Austin to be closer to children and grandchildren. He was close to all 10 of his grandchildren, who looked forward to their frequent visits with Papa. For his Cohen grandchildren living in Baltimore, he was always eager to travel for life events and sports games, attending as much or more than many grandparents who live close by.

He lived a life defined by character and integrity, and will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to the University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, Texas.