Ronald Lewis Laughlin

Ronald Lewis “Bob” Laughlin, 90, a proud U.S.A.F. military veteran, passed away October 6, 2022 in Clackamas, Oregon. Bob was born in Baker, Oregon on March 25, 1932, to Frank Kevin and Mary Roberta Cranmer Laughlin. He graduated from La Grande High School. Bob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon Agriculture College (now Oregon State University); he was in the ROTC and a member of Theta Xi fraternity. He married Patricia Mann, and they had three children. They later divorced. Bob was a decorated United States Air Force pilot, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Bob’s family accompanied him on his assignments to Florida, Morocco, Michigan, Illinois, Germany, The Philippines, and in Washington, D.C. Bob was a flight inspection and flight communication specialist, and he was the first pilot to fly 2000 hours in the C-140 Jet Star. Bob was stationed in Vung Tao, Vietnam and flew 140 missions and logged 550 flight hours in the C-7 cargo jet.

Bob was a born-again Christian: in his early 50s, he turned to Christ for his salvation, and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in his life, deepening his gentle, loving, and compassionate character. He served others, and experienced many miracles in his life. He always felt blessed to have been able to visit Jerusalem asnd was baptized in the Jordan River. Bob had a passion for fishing, hunting, cooking, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Bob dated Ada May Tryon for 8 years and on June 24, 2000, they married. She survives him. They lived together in Ada’s house outside of Gresham until 2017 when they moved into a Senior Facility in Gresham. Health and physical limitations kept them from being together the last year of Bob’s life but they stayed connected through phone calls. The day after Ada’s visit, Bob passed peacefully away, surrounded by his family, and is resting in his Father’s arms.

Bob is also survived by his three children: Elizabeth (Ted) Hammack, Kathleen (Kelly) Drebin, and Ronald (Charlotte) Laughlin, Jr.; 12 grandchildren: Ben Hardesty, Jennifer Schluchter, Michelle Drebin, Jason Laughlin, James Drebin, Kevin Laughlin, Rebecca Vechi, Todd Laughlin, Natalie Evans, Scott Laughlin, Bradley Laughlin, and Veronica McKee; and 22 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be at 11:30 am, Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland. Escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, a Military Honors Ceremony will follow at Willamette National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please perform a random act of kindness in Bob’s name.