Robert Lee Laughlin

Robert Lee Laughlin was born in Massillon, Ohio, on August 8, 1928, the oldest child of Latha (Piper) Laughlin and Raymond E. Laughlin. His family and friends grieved his passing on January 11, 2023, yet rejoiced that he enjoyed a good, long life and now rests in life eternal with Christ. Bob joins both of his parents, as well as his brothers William A. Laughlin and Carl R. Laughlin, and his nephew, Jeffrey L. Laughlin, in their heavenly home.

During his childhood and youth, Bob spent much of his time on the family farm in Shreve, Ohio, where he developed a love of nature and the great outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Bob felt a strong connection to Wayne County and Shreve, and returned frequently throughout his life.

After graduating from Washington High School in 1946, Bob served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning stateside, he attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he studied photographic arts. Upon graduation, he worked in the photography industry, a career that took him to Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, and ultimately to Washington D.C., where he spent most of his career as a photographer for the U.S. Department of Transportation. His impressive skills were quickly noticed at the government, and throughout his career he photographed numerous U.S. presidents, government officials and foreign dignitaries.

While his career afforded him many unique and interesting opportunities, he was most passionate about the time he spent outdoors. Upon moving to the Washington D.C. area, he soon missed the beauty of nature that he had grown up enjoying in rural Ohio. Upon the recommendation of a work colleague, he joined the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Together with other members of the club, he maintained and sustained the beauty of 2.5 miles of the trail in Front Royal, Virginia. In addition to his work on the Appalachian Trail, he also worked to build a new trail in the Potomac Heritage Trail system in Fort Marcy, Virginia. Today and for generations to come, visitors can still see his fingerprints and enjoy the work of his hands. When he wasn’t hiking or working on a trail, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends.

Bob was a generous and faithful friend, and a great storyteller. The stories he shared of his adventurous life will be missed. Those left behind include his brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Bettye Laughlin of Greenville, OH; sisters-in-law Joan Lynch of Massillon and Donna Laughlin of Dover, OH. Although he had no children of his own, he sought to be a part of the lives of his nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his nieces Christine C. Laughlin and Marya L. (Mark) Kopetsky; nephew James A. (Rebecca) Laughlin; great-niece Emily G. (Magnus) Wu and great nephew Briar A. Laughlin.

A Celebration of his life will be held at the Paquelet Funeral Home on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 12pm. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11am until the time of the service. Burial will take place at Shreve Oak Grove Cemetery in Shreve, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any contributions be made in his memory to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club -118 Park Street SE, Vienna, Virginia 22180 or the First Christian Church of Massillon. Messages of sympathy and support can be made to www.paquelet.com

Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory – 330-833-3222