Robert Russell Laubacher

Robert Laubacher, 85, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2018 after a long battle with Parkinson’s at Spring Creek assisted living in Fruitland, Idaho. He was born on March 4, 1933 in Oxnard, California to Benjamin Daniel and Evangeline (Carroll) Laubacher. Bob graduated from Santa Clara High School in 1950 and Santa Clara University in 1954 with a Business degree. He was an outstanding athlete and lettered in three high school sports. Pitching his senior year for the Santa Clara University Broncos, he threw a no-hitter against USC. After graduation, he played minor league baseball with the Channel Cities Oilers. Bob entered the US 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 LA Dodgers. After returning from Korea, Bob married Ann Marie (Vint) on February 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, CA 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 Bob loved being in the company of his children, grandchildren and eventually his great grandchildren. Everyone loved Bob because of his gentle and calm nature. Bob 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, Henry and great grandchildren Isla, Owen and Evelyn; his sisters Patricia and Sally and other beloved relatives and a large circle of friends. Special thanks from the family to the staff who cared for Bob at Spring Creek Assisted Living in Fruitland, and to dear friend Gary Schneider, who was very gracious to Bob. A Viewing will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm, followed by a Vigil and Rosary starting at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church located at 900 NW 7th St. in Fruitland, ID. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the church with a reception following. After the reception, graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery, Hwy 201, Spur 95, Ontario, OR. 97914. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob’s name to St. Peter Catholic School, 98 SW 9th Street, Ontario, OR 97914 Attn.: Armida Hernández, Principal. Arrangements and Services are under the direction of Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario, Oregon.