Joseph H. Lauby

Joseph H. Lauby, of Richland, passed away Friday, July 22, 2016.

Joe was born Jan. 11, 1926, in Mount Angel, Ore., the fifth and youngest child of Nicholas M. Lauby and Mary B. Schlautmann.

He is survived by his youngest sister, Elizabeth Cutshall, of Portland, Ore., and nine nieces and five nephews. His parents, Mary and Nicholas, and older siblings, Veronica LeDoux, Anne Winslow and Anthony Lauby, predeceased him.

Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army on March 25, 1944, two months after his 18^th birthday. He was assigned to the 100^th Infantry Division as a radio operator in the European Theatre, rising to the rank of Technician 5^th Grade. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal.

He was a member of “The Society of the 100 Sons of Bitche,” for his part in “the storm and capture of the proud Citadel in the Maginot Line on March 16, 1945.”

After discharge in May 1946, Joe returned to Oregon to attend college. Because of the great number of veterans taking advantage of the free college tuition programs, his program took him to three different colleges in Portland and the Willamette Valley. He finished his degree in physics at Oregon State University in 1950.

His first job took him to Seattle where he worked for the Boeing Corp. In 1951, he moved to Richland to work for GE for 10 years and then Battelle, doing physics research. He tried real estate for a time then retired for good. . . if it could be called “retired.”

He had always kept himself busy with a wide variety of interests and activities. He was active in Christ the King Church, volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul Society, ushering on weekend mass, and as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He rode his bike to daily Mass for many years. Joe volunteered at the local Food Bank. He was a member of the Richland Players and the International Folk Dancers for many years.

Joe enjoyed tinkering – with electronics and plants. He was always experimenting with the fruit trees in his back yard, grafting several varieties of fruit onto one tree. It made for some odd-looking trees but the fruit was good! His garden produced plenty for himself and family and friends, as did his fishing. He loved fishing but didn’t like eating his catch, so he shared. He also shared with his black and white cat, Charlie, which he took along on fishing trips.

Visits to Europe were a highlight. Joe traveled with his sisters, Liz and Anne, and his cousin, Fr. Bruno Becker. Over several trips, they visited Germany to meet distant cousins and do family research. On one memorable trip to northern Spain and southern France, he complained he had a hard time keeping up with Father Bruno.

Fossil-hunting was another pastime he enjoyed with friend Bill Fry and Larry Romero. Joe was always invited to family holiday dinners with his brother, Tony, and his family in Prosser. He was close to his sisters and helped them when needed.

Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Church on Tuesday, Aug. 2, with viewing at 9:30 a.m., Rosary at 10 a.m., and Mass at 11 a.m. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, including a military tribute.