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LAING -- Robert Heller Laing, "Bob," took his final breath in Albuquerque at 3 p.m., Monday, December 15, 2008. He took his first breath on April 11, 1928 born into the hardships of the dust-bowl era in Hollis, Oklahoma. And in between were 29,468 days given to the mysteries and discoveries, failures and achievements, conflict and peace, anxiety and serenity that characterize every full human life in all measures both pursued and avoided. Bob's childhood was spent in Oklahoma and Texas with his mother, Opal McCullough, and sister, Lenore, and among relatives in the Smith and McCullough families. His father, Robert Laing, returned to Connecticut and remarried and had another family and remained in contact with Bob through his life. Bob served in the Merchant Marines and the Army in post WWII with world travels including Japan and Europe. He returned from the Service and earned a GI Bill sponsored degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Colorado at Boulder. He worked in his profession in power and control system specialties for several companies and in several Midwestern states: Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Bob enjoyed recreational fishing, skiing, gardening and sailing as times and places provided opportunities. Bob is survived by his sister, Lenore; and his second wife, Marilyn, their three children, John, Lori and Donna; and by his third wife, Dona, and companion of many years; and his life-long friend and cousin Foy Jr. Bob's progeny extends also to three grandchildren and three great -grandchildren. Bob had a first wife and daughter that are not known to the contemporary family members. Bob and Dona moved from Minnesota to the sunshine of New Mexico in 2001 and began easy-going and contented RV living at many New Mexico State Parks and other places in New Mexico and other states. On behalf of his wife, Dona and his children, John, Lori and Donna, that were present at the end of his life, we express our appreciation and admiration for the many employees of the VA Hospital, Albuquerque, that gave exceptional, professional and compassionate care to Bob over seven years; and the same regard to the VA Hospital, Minneapolis, in prior years. And we send out our best regards to the many kind people that were Bob's and Dona's community as they enjoyed their RV living travels, together. And it would be our wish that he would have had many more years to share with all of us.
        Published on: Sun December 28, 2008