Robert J. Lauer

Robert J. Lauer, 91, of Toledo, passed away Wednesday, July, 11, 2012, at Sunset House. He was born in Toledo in 1921, to Fred and Albina Ernst Lauer. He received his primary education in the parochial schools, graduating from Central Catholic High School. After graduating from DeSales College, Robert entered the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, from which he graduated in 1944. During the last 13 months of WWII he served aboard the USS San Jacinto in the Western Pacific. He served aboard the USS Roosevelt; on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet; at the Naval Post Graduate School at Annapolis; aboard the USS Salem, Sixth Fleet flagship in the Mediterranean and as Communications Officer for the Commander Battleship/Cruiser Force Atlantic aboard the USS Albany and the USS Missouri. At the conclusion of the Korean War, he resigned from the Navy and returned to Toledo. Robert worked as an electrical engineer for the A. Bentley & Sons Co. from 1954 to 1962, when he went to the Haughton Elevator Division of Toledo Scale Corp. as an engineer. In 1966 he was named Vice President of Engineering at Haughton and worked in that position for the next 21 years, under three different ownerships, finally as Schindler Elevator Corporation. After retiring in 1987, Robert has acted as a consultant to attorneys in suits involving elevators and escalators. He was a registered professional engineer in the States of Ohio, New Jersey, New York and Minnesota. Robert held five patents in the elevator field and a number of published articles in professional journals. He was a member of the National Elevator and Escalator Safety Code Committee. Robert was a member of the National and Ohio Society of Professional Engineers; Maumee Valley Historical society, Trustee; U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, President, Toledo Chapter; The Navy League: American Legion, Toledo Post; Gesu Parish; The Inverness Club; The English Speaking Union; American Archaeological Association, Toledo Artists Club, Torch Club and American Mensa. His interests included Golf, Watercolor Painting, Glass Blowing, Wood Carving, Genealogical Research, History, Writing and Bridge. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Thomas H. a West Point graduate and John, CPPS. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Mary Ann; sons, Robert; Thomas Helene; Christopher Barb; Peter Lesley, and daughters, Jeanne Mic Williams; Janice Eric Miller and Carolyn Matthew Petrie; 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by brother, Dr. Daniel J. MD, and sister Carol Gerald Harms. Friends and family may visit with the family on Friday, July 13th, from 2-8 p.m., at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave West of Corey Road, where a scripture service will be held at 7 p.m.. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 14th, at 11 a.m., in Gesu Church, 2049 Parkside Blvd. Toledo, OH Please meet at church. Interment will follow in Joy Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Roberts name may be made to Heartland Hospice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com