Colonel White High School Class of 1965 © 2004 :: Featured Alumni

Featured Alumni

David C. Straus

Hello everyone. I'm Carol Flinspach Yinger and we are pleased to have with us today Dave Straus. Dave, thanks for agreeing to be a featured alumnus for our website. It was great that you traveled to Ohio for the June reunion weekend; everyone was glad to see you. Where are you living now?

We live at 7605 Saratoga, Lubbock Texas

What is your current job, Dave?

I’m a professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Texas Tech University in the Health Sciences Center.

A professor! That’s impressive, Dave. What can you tell us about your family?

My significant other is Lynne Wisby. No children, but a lot of pets….6 dogs and 3 cats.

Dave, what previous job assignments have you had?

None. After Colonel White, I received a B. S. in Biology from Wright State and a Ph. D. from Loyola University in Chicago.

So you’re "Dr. Dave"! What are your interests and hobbies?

Sports, literature and history.

Have you had any memorable trips?

I’ve been to many parts of the world to lecture on Microbiology, such as Canada, Thailand, Mexico and the Czech Republic.

Are your parents and/or siblings still in the Dayton area?

Yes, my parents are still living in Dayton. My two sisters and a brother all still live in Ohio.

Dave, what would you say are your accomplishments or achievements?

I am known for my research on black mold and have appeared on "48 Hours,", "20/20," CBS and NBC nightly news, and Court TV. Also, I have had articles in "Time" magazine, the New York Times, "Ladies Home Journal," and USA Weekend.

You really are an expert in your field! Do you have any regrets, Dave?

No.

Looking back when you were in high school, do you think that your job and your life are where you thought they would be by this time?

Yes, my life went where I wanted it to go. I always wanted to work in a university setting, which I have done for the past 32 years.

If you could start over, Dave, would you do anything differently?

No, I would do the same things again.

What are some of your favorite memories of Colonel White?

Of all my teachers, I enjoyed Mr. Blum the most; and I enjoyed all the biology classes. I loved playing basketball, too.

I’m really glad someone enjoyed biology! When you’re good at it, it probably is more enjoyable. What classmates and pals do you remember?

My best friends were Doug McPherson (whom I killed in basketball!), Bob Blake and Larry Zechar. I used to kill Bob and Larry in basketball, too, but I don’t like to brag about it. Some of my favorite weekend memories are of playing basketball at the park and in the gym.

What are your plans for the future, Dave?

I plan to continue to do research in Microbiology. I don’t plan to retire for a while.

Dave, it’s been great hearing about what you’ve been doing since 1965 and about all of your accomplishments. In closing, do you have any words of wisdom, comments or messages for fellow classmates?

If you want to be happy in life, be a good scholar, a good athlete and a good lover. Everything else will take care of itself.

Dave, thank you so much for spending a little of your day here with us here on the '65 Site. Sounds like you have been very busy and successful over the past 37 - 38 years, Best wishes Dave and we hope to see you at our 40th Reunion. That's it until next time. Till then this is.....
-Carol Flinspach Yinger