Robert "Bob" Mclaughlin

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Robert "Bob" McLaughlin – age 72, of Laurens, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

Robert William McLaughlin was born September 19, 1949, in Laurens, Iowa. He was the son of William Joseph and Betty Jean (Perkins) McLaughlin. Bob grew up in Fonda where he graduated from OLGC Catholic High School in May of 1968. Following graduation, he joined the military in July of 1968, serving in the U.S. Marines as a helicopter gunner during the Vietnam War in Da Nang. He was honorably discharged in May of 1970. On May 27, 1972, Bob was united in marriage to Patricia Vos in Runnells, Iowa. The couple lived in Des Moines where Bob worked in construction as a truck driver. In 1979, the couple moved to Fonda. In 1982, Bob and Patti settled in Laurens where Bob worked for Hakes Foods in the warehouse, then as a truck driver. After Hakes closed, Bob continued driving truck for multiple companies until his retirement in 2011.

Bob was a past member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Laurens and the Knights of Columbus. He was an active member of the Laurens V.F.W. Bob enjoyed working on lawn mowers, gardening, fishing and watching stock car races.

Survivors include his wife, Patti, of Laurens; sons, Rob (Jennifer) McLaughlin of Georgetown, TX and Scott (Melanie) McLaughlin of Sneads Ferry, NC; daughter, Courtni (Rob Abbas) McLaughlin of Farnhamville; 9 grandchildren; sister, Bonnie Jean Palmer of Fonda and brothers, Ron (Maralyn) McLaughlin of Fonda and Bill (Kathy) McLaughlin of Fonda. Bob was preceded in death by his parents.