Richard Allen Laubach

Richard Allen Laubach, 80, of Lake Charles, LA, died at 10:53 PM on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 in a Houston, TX hospital.

Mr. Laubach was born May 4, 1937 in Nazareth, PA and has resided in Lake Charles for the past thirty-five years. He was a graduate of Nazareth High School, where he was the valedictorian and on the wrestling team. Richard entered the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17 in hopes of becoming a pilot. He served twenty-three years in the Air Force and retired as a Staff Sergeant. During his service, he graduated with his BS in Engineering concentrated in mechanical. Mr. Laubach went on to work for Ingersoll-Rand (Dresser-Rand) for twenty-five years, where he enjoyed traveling the world and retired ten years ago. He was a member of the VFW Post #2130 and the American Legion Post #1. Richard was an avid gardener and baker and enjoyed fishing and woodworking in his shop, but his true passion was for his wife and family.

Mr. Laubach is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Irene Laubach of Lake Charles; daughters, Rosalind Goodwin and husband Martin of Lake Charles, Andrea Matte and husband Christopher of DeQuincy, and Dawn Chapman of Sulphur; grandchildren, Aaron Goodwin, Meagan Chapman, Seth Matte, Austin Chapman, and Shelby Matte; great-grandchildren, Jewel Lial, Ashlyn Goodwin and Gabe Goodwin; and his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gregory Ruben Laubach and Anna Graver; and sister, Shirley Beahm.

His funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Lamar Huffman will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service.