He was president of his class in his junior and senior years, captained the track team, and played baseball and basketball.

Active in politics as a Republican, in 1930 Strickler won a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and he served one term, 1931 to 1933.

That same year he was appointed Lancaster's police commissioner; he served until 1933, and worked aggressively to combat bootleggers until the end of Prohibition.

In the waning days of his term, Strickler resigned as Lieutenant Governor to become commander of the 28th Infantry Division as a major general when it was activated for service in West Germany during the Korean War.

Continuing his military service after the war, Strickler served as chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Rome, Italy (1952–1953), a member of the Secretary of the Army's Review Board Council from 1953 to 1956, and assistant chief of staff for civil affairs (J-5) with the Far East Command in Tokyo (1956 to 1957).

In 1960 Strickler received a state promotion to lieutenant general in recognition of his many years of superior service.

Strickler Field, a parade ground and physical training site at Fort Indiantown Gap is named in his honor.

Strickler's decorations included: Silver Star (2); Legion of Merit (2); Purple Heart; Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device for valor; Order of Leopold with Palm (Belgium); Croix de Guerre with Palm (Belgium); Croix de Guerre with Palm (France); Order of the Rising Sun (Japan); Combat Infantryman Badge; and Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Medal.