1954

scmintern@scu.edu

Robert Laubacher ’54 was born on March 4, 1933, in Oxnard, California, to Benjamin Daniel and Evangeline (Carroll) Laubacher. He graduated from Santa Clara High School and SCU in with a business degree. He was an outstanding athlete and lettered in three high school sports. Pitching his senior year for the SCU Broncos, he threw a no-hitter against USC. After graduation, he played minor league baseball with the Channel Cities Oilers. Bob entered the Army as a second lieutenant, serving in Korea between 1954 and 1956. While in Korea, Bob pitched for the Army baseball team. He remained a dedicated sports fan until his death, always rooting for his favorite team, the Dodgers. After returning from Korea, Bob married Ann Marie (Vint) on Feb. 9, 1957. Together they had six children: Patrick, Julie, Matthew, Kenneth, Michael, and Amy. Bob and his brother, Steve, ran the family farm in Oxnard for a number of years. In 1967, he and Ann decided to make the move to the Treasure Valley, where they purchased a farm on the Oregon Slope near Ontario, Oregon, and farmed there for nearly 50 years until his retirement. No matter how busy Bob was with the farm, he always had time for his children. Church, sports, and games were central to family life, and when Bob wasn’t coaching or playing with his kids, he was playing cards, eating ice cream, or building puzzles with them. He was a very humble, hardworking, and well respected person in the community who always thought of others first. He co-founded the Annex Rural Fire Department and served on the school board at Annex Elementary School. In addition, Bob was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. In his retirement years he loved being in the company of his children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren. Everyone loved Bob because of his gentle and calm nature. He passed away on July 15, 2018, after a long battle with Parkinson’s at Spring Creek Assisted Living in Fruitland, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Ann, and son Matthew. He is survived by his children Patrick (Linda), Julie, Kenneth (Stephanie), Michael (Melissa) and Amy (Jim); grandchildren Janelle (Dan), Renee (Greg), Ryan (Brooke), Laura, Taylor, Anna, and Henry; and great-grandchildren Isla, Owen, and Evelyn; his sisters, Patricia and Sally; and other beloved relatives and a large circle of friends.

08 Nov 2018