ALBANY–David Strousse of Kinderhook died on February 15 at St. Peter’s Hospital. He was 87 years old. 
He was born in Philadelphia on May 31, 1922 to Flora and Louis Strousse. He graduated from Germantown Academy in 1940 where his grades were average but his ability to make classmates laugh was unrivaled. He later attended the University of North Carolina but his education was cut short to serve his country during World War II in the 141st Army Air Corp. He was in active service in the South Pacific for three and a half years and was discharged on New Year’s Eve in 1945.
After the war, Mr. Strousse became a Madison Avenue advertising executive in New York City for notable agencies including Grey Advertising and Foote, Cone & Belding, where he helped build iconic brands such as RCA Victor Records and Clairol. In 1970 he switched to the client side and became the VP of Advertising for L’Oreal where he coined the now famous slogan, “Because I’m Worth It”. He later moved on to Seiko Time Corporation where he served as VP of Advertising and Public Relations for over 20 years.
Mr. Strousse reluctantly retired at the age of 78 and moved from his home in Rye to Kinderhook where he was secretary of the 50’s Group, on the Board of Directors of North Pointe and a member of the Old Chatham Hunt Club and the Lenox Club. He was a dealer and collector of antique padlocks and a gifted sculptor, with pieces in the private collections of the late Benny Goodman and the Hearst family.
Mr. Strousse was a superb athlete in his youth but a better lawn mower in retirement. He brought levity and laughter to every occasion and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He leaves behind five children: Cindy, Tracy and David from his first marriage to Marcia Dembow; and Justin and Eben from his marriage of 42 years to Pamela. He also leaves four granddaughters, Rose, Kate, Amelia and Lydia, and his dog Oliver.
A date to celebrate his life is yet to be determined.