Robert Striar, D.C. photojournalist, dies at 88

Robert Striar, 88, a Washington photojournalist who chronicled the city’s political, cultural and social history for decades, died Jan. 28 at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. He had complications from a broken hip. The death was confirmed by his daughter Diane Striar. Mr. Striar learned photography during Navy service in Europe during World War II before settling in the Washington area. In the late 1940s, he started City News Bureau, a photo-news syndicate that at one time had more than 100 newspaper clients. He ran the company until around 2000. His images were featured in newspapers, such as The Washington Post, and magazines, including Life. He worked closely with the late Betty Beale, who wrote a society column for the old Washington Star. He covered presidential inaugurations, funerals of statesmen, the 1963 March on Washington, embassy events and visiting dignitaries. In the 1960s, he and photographer Carlo A. Maggi published a monthly magazine, Washington Illustrated. Robert Striar, a District resident, was born in Bangor, Maine, and raised in New York’s Bronx and Queens boroughs. He made ink drawings and developed an interest in wood-burning art. His work was exhibited at the Ratner Museum in Bethesda, among other local galleries. His wife, Marguerite Minsky, whom he married in 1950, died in 2008. Attribution: washingtonpost.com (Adam Bernstein) Published: February 9

JFK In The Crossfire Credit: Robert Striar

Phil A. Gentilcore; Mailroom Foreman January 23, 2012

Philip Anthony Gentilcore, born: April 1923, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2012. He had suffered from cancer for many years and was being treated; but finally succumbed due to pneumonia. Phil served in the Navy during WWII, after which he became employed in the Star mailroom. He eventually rose to Foreman and remained in that position until the Star closed in 1981. For the last few years of his career he moved to the Washington Post mailroom. During retirement he thoroughly enjoyed family activities.

Walter McMain Oates, news photographer, dies at 84

Walter McMain Oates, a Washington news photographer who covered nine presidential administrations, died Dec. 30, 2011. He was 84. Mr. Oates started his newspaper career as a copy boy with the Washington Star, and worked for The Washington Times until he retired in the early 1990s. As a member of the White House News Photographers Association, Mr. Oates had the privilege of working many black tie events at the White House and gaining access to to presidents. Mr. Oates, also known as Mac, joined the Navy as a young man, serving his country for two years at the end of World War II. Though he loved his career and often spoke of the memories, Mr. Oates was most proud of his two children.