Lieutenant Colonel George Robert “Bob” Laswell II, U.S. Army (Ret.), West Point Class of 1968, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2026, at the age of 80. Born on September 23, 1943, in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Colonel Harry Taylor Laswell and Bernice (Harrison) Laswell.
Bob graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point on June 5, 1968, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry of the United States Army. Following graduation from West Point, he completed Basic Airborne School, Ranger School, and Jumpmaster School. He served honorably in Korea and the Vietnam War, was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart. He received the Bronze Star Medal and numerous campaign and service awards. He continued his military career in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after more than 30 years of service to the nation.
Following his military education at West Point, Bob earned both a Master of Business Administration and a Master’s degree in History. His civilian career in hospital administration brought him to Michael Reese Hospital, where he served as Director of the Department of Anesthesiology at one of Chicago’s oldest, largest, and most historically significant medical institutions.
Bob is survived by his wife of 26 years, Jean (Ashcroft) Laswell; his daughter, Katherine Wolkow; his son-in-law Nathan Wolkow; their children, Gwendolyn, George, and Grace; and his siblings, Elizabeth (Craig) Kleckler, Susan Laswell, Harry Taylor (Sharon) Laswell.
Bob always treasured time spent with his grandchildren and took particular pride in sharing stories, history, and lessons learned from a lifetime of service. An avid fisherman throughout his life, Bob found peace and happiness on the waters of Lake Michigan, Lake Pepin, the Gulf of America, the Banana River, and the Atlantic Ocean. He was an avid reader, enjoying military history, Hemingway and Randy Wayne White. Bob will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and patriot who was a living example of the West Point motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.”
A memorial service with full family and friends are invited to a time of visitation Friday, November 13, 2026, at Bisch and Son Funeral Home 505 E. Allen St., Springfield, IL beginning at 11:30 am until the time of a funeral service there at 12:30 pm. Burial will follow in Camp Butler National Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher House Foundation, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or another veteran’s organization meaningful to the donor.
