Robert Edward Laubengayer (1941-2020)

Robert Edward Laubengayer, formerly of Ellsworth, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2020, after taking a fall and a short stay in the hospital.

Bob, as he was known by his family and friends, was born Feb. 9, 1941 in Great Bend, Kan., the second son of Carl and Ruth Laubengayer. He was raised in Salina, Kan. where as a youth he was active in Boy Scouts and his church youth group and  choir. Bob was also an accomplished athlete and in addition to lettering in football he also took 4th place in the state wrestling tournament. Following high school, he attended Phillips University in Enid, Okla. and eventually earned a Bachelor of Arts in History going on to become a high school social studies teacher.

Before earning his B.A., Bob very proudly served for three years in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in San Diego, Calif. where he met the love of his life, Shiela Grace Rogers and the two were married in 1963. After teaching for two years in Oklahoma, Bob and Shiela decided to move back to San Diego where he attended law school at the University of San Diego and earned his J.D. and passed the bar exam.

Bob was a very enthusiastic fly fisherman and loved to talk about fly fishing nearly as much as he enjoyed standing in a stream trying to outsmart the trout. He passed this love of fishing and the outdoors on to his children, Robert Craig (Deneen Urbank)  Laubengayer, Roger Carl (Rebecca Svaty) Laubengayer, Richard Matthew (Khey Besino) Laubengayer, and Amanda Grace Belt; as well as his grandchildren, Rebecca, Roger, Rory, Emma, Grace, Bobby, Dylan, Abigail, Samantha, and Nick and seven great-grandchildren.  

Bob also took great joy in singing throughout his life. He sang in several choirs and was a regular fixture at numerous Karaoke nights pouring his heart out in country and love songs usually dedicated to Shiela.

Bob will always be remembered for his kindness and the love he showed his family. He was always quick with a joke and loved to tell stories with varying degrees of accuracy and veracity. The people who really knew him will miss the sound of his laughter.

In addition to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Bob is also survived by his brothers, William (Eve Casserly) Laubengayer and Richard (Susan St. Clair) Laubengayer.

As per his wishes, Bob will be cremated and most appropriately have remains spread along one of his favorite fishing spots. A fitting end to a life well spent and a race fully run.