Robert Earl Lau, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, left earth and moved to his “forever home” in Heaven Saturday, September 12, 2020. We are celebrating with him, even as we mourn the loss of his presence with us.
He was born June 6, 1939 in Salem, Ohio to the late Paul and Maryann (Gibson) Lau.
Bob proudly served in the Marine Corp as a Communications Officer. His career was in the grocery business. Having retired from the Kroger Company after 26 years, he worked another 7 years managing a plant for Dawn Foods.
Bob decided to take retirement seriously at that point, and moved with his wife Debi to Hot Springs in 1994. He greatly enjoyed living on the lake, where after catching 2 bass on 1 hook, he earned the nickname “2-Bass Bob”. He loved fishing, playing poker with his best friends, monthly “Couples Cards” with close family and friends, and spending time with his daughters and his “Grands”, talking and playing games together. Bob enjoyed the occasional day at Oaklawn, and loved setting up his annual “Family & Friends Day” at the track. He was a former member of the Elks Lodge and worshiped at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Bob is preceded in death by two brothers, Homer Lau and William Lau.
Bob is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 47 years, Debi (Reed) Lau; his three beautiful daughters Susan Kaplan, Valerie Charron and Trisha Nicholas; brother Paul “Skip” Lau; grandchildren Heidi Pynn, Clifton Helterbran, Zachary Kaplan, Jakob Allen, Brett Korcha, Madison Nicholas, and Rivers Nicholas; great-grandchildren Kristen Pynn and Bentley Pynn.
The Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday at Gross Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Chip Hatcher officiating. Come and celebrate Bob with us! Come early to visit (1:00 – 2:00), come comfortable, and bring a favorite memory.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s honor may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, or a charity of your choosing.
For the safety of all attending, the family request that masks and social distancing be observed.
