Robert William Laing

Laing, Robert W. "Bob" passed away April 1, 2021 due to pneumonia. He was a kind-hearted husband and father and a consummate gentleman. Raised in Milton, ND and St. Paul, MN, he graduated from Monroe High School in 1948. The yearbook captured his broad smile and head of curls as a gymnast, class president and Prince Charming in the school play. He attended St. Thomas and the University of North Dakota before serving honorably in the Korean War. He never lost the smile or the curls. Bob had an incredible work ethic. As a teen he hauled bags of potatoes at the Red Dot potato chip factory. Starting at Brown & Bigelow after his marriage to Patty in 1954, Bob's entrepreneurial spirit and outgoing personality led to a lengthy career in advertising specialty sales, which continued into his 80s. He also opened Town Crier and Patty's Pantry restaurants, earning him the proud title "The Pancake King" bestowed by friend, Ronnie Boe. Bob's favorite memories were of times he shared with loved ones, whether it was fishing in Canada, travels to Mazatlán or Mary and Tom's lake house, taking too many panoramic photos in Europe or a road trip to North Dakota with his adored Aunt Tuty and cousins Gwen and Cheri. His simple pleasures included walking his dog along Nine Mile Creek, relaxing in his recliner with a good cigar and a martini "so dry you can forget the vermouth" and sharing a home-cooked meal with fellow musketeers, his son Andy and nephew, Steve. Bob's tender heart will be warmly remembered. He teared up watching Little House on the Prairie and tucked a blanket under the robin's nest on the front porch "in case one of the babies fall out." Nothing brought a bigger smile on his face than bouncing a baby on his knee. He was Bobby growing up, Bob to his friends, Dad to his children and Poppy to his grandchildren. He had the bittersweet fortune to outlive many of his close friends and family, including his beloved wife Patty (Hanson) sisters Marlene and Andrea (Hurd), parents Andrew and Gladys (Thom) and stepmother, Margaret (Conroy). But holding him in their hearts forever are his children; Elizabeth, Sue (Steve) Stormoen, Andrew, and Julie (Terry) Hoffman and grandchildren; Kenyon (Zak Cohen) Laing, Jake Stormoen, Anna Stormoen, Gracie Hoffman and Meg Hoffman; sister Mary (Tom) Kingston and many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wants to thank the caring staff at Founder's Ridge and Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington, with memorials preferred to the Presbyterian Homes Foundation or the Animal Humane Society. A Celebration of Life will be held later this year, with notice to follow.

Tributes

Robert William Laing

June 17, 1929 - April 1, 2021

Tributes

Robert William Laing

June 17, 1929 - April 1, 2021

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