Robert Laughlin Obituary, Death – Lieutenant Robert Laughlin, who had retired from the Southwick Police Department, passed away on December 1st, 2023. Both Arthur and Marjorie (Winder) Laughlin were Bob’s parents. Bob was their son. On October 18, 1942, he was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, but he spent his childhood in Westfield.
In 1962, he received his diploma from Westfield High School, where he excelled as a football and basketball player of exceptional calibre. In later years, he went on to complete his education at Holyoke Community College, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice. Bob joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard in Westfield in 1964 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant during his time there. 1969 was the year when Bob was given a position with the Southwick Police Department.
Bob was promoted to the rank of sergeant on January 10, 1990, and he retired from the military as a Lieutenant on December 30, 2003. During his 34 years of service with the Police Department, Bob served as the Safety Officer. The Southwick Police Association, the Western Massachusetts Safety and Crime Prevention Officer Association, the Massachusetts Safety Officer Association, and the Mass Police Officer Association were all organisations that he was a member of.
Carol, his wife of 49 years, as well as two daughters and a son, Robert Laughlin and his wife Meredith of East Longmeadow, Erin Laughlin of Southwick, and Tamara DeGray and her husband Michael Dougan of Jersey City, are among those who are left behind after his passing. He is also survived by his sister Judith (Laughlin) Okraska of Canton, Connecticut, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by his three granddaughters, Abigail, Kathryn, and Elizabeth Laughlin; his two grandsons, Jonathan and Christopher Crawford; his brother David and his wife Kelly of Harwich, Massachusetts; and his brother David. After his daughter Kelly (Laughlin) Crawford passed away in 2016, he was preceded in death by his brother Steven, who passed away in 1989.
At Southwick Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, which is located at 624 College Highway in Southwick, there will be a visitation on Friday, December 8, 2023, from four to seven o’clock in the evening. Beginning at seven o’clock, members of the family and friends will have the opportunity to share words of remembrance.
