David W. Laubach, 79

February 24, 2018

David W. Laubach, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday evening February 24th. He was born on January 24th, 1939 in Reading, PA. He was the son of C. David Laubach and Frances Goodman Laubach. He was married to Gretchen Koenig Laubach for 55 years and had 3 sons. Dave attended Wyomissing High School and spent his summers in Brant Beach on Long Beach Island, NJ, where he met his wife, Gretchen.
After high school he attended Colgate University and then transferred to Franklin and Marshall College where he graduated in 1960 with a BA in Economics and participated on the F&M’s Men’s Tennis team.
Following college, Dave was a dedicated Navy man where he served three and a half years as a Lieutenant JG. He served on the USS Cavalier, home ported in Norfolk from 1960 to 1961 as the Ship to Shore Officer and then was assigned to the USS Algol, out of Bremerton, WA from 1961 to 1963 as the Boat Commander.
Upon leaving the Navy he joined Armstrong World Industries as a sales and marketing representative in 1964. He retired after 35 years as General Manager Real Estate and Facilities and Director of Corporate Security.
Dave always kept active with his hobbies which included coaching his son’s baseball teams, playing golf and tennis and spending time with his grandchildren on Long Beach Island. He was an avid Eagle and Phillies fan and always enjoyed taking his kids to the games. In his retirement years, Dave and Gretchen enjoyed spending winters in Hutchinson Island, FL.
Locally, Dave was a member of Highland Presbyterian Church since 1974, the Lancaster Country Club and the Hamilton Club. He was an active community member and held several executive positions in various associations such as the Urban Land Institute – Director, International Industrial Development Council – Director, Corporate Real Estate Managers Council – President, National Association and Pennsylvania Association of Realtors. He also served 8 years on the Manheim Township Planning Commission; as Director of Community Services for Lancaster Northeast Rotary; on the Lancaster County Economic Development Committee and the Pennsylvania Economic Development Committee
In addition to his wife, Gretchen, he is survived by 3 sons, David James Laubach and partner Michael Rutledge, William Carl Laubach, Eric Walter Laubach and 4 grandchildren, Abby, Ben, Jake and Annie Laubach. Dave is also survived by his brother Dr. William Stanley and wife Cindy Laubach of Wyomissing, Pa and nephew Jeff Laubach and niece Kate Laubach Aurentz.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 10th at the Highland Presbyterian Church, 1801 Oregon Pike, Lancaster PA 17601. Family can be greeted at 10:00 am with the Memorial Service starting at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice For All Seasons, 280 S. Hill Dr., Grantville, PA 17028, or to a charity of your choice.