Robert David McLaughlin (1944 – 2022)
Robert David McLaughlin, 78, of Goshen, died unexpectedly at Goshen Hospital on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. He was born Sept. 10, 1944, in Indiana, Pennsylvania, to Robert Francis and Blanche (Tesar) McLaughlin.
Mr. McLaughlin was a 1966 graduate of Princeton University and moved to Goshen that year to attend Grace Seminary, Winona Lake.
On Aug. 5, 1972, he married Linda Hostetler at New Paris Missionary Church. She survives along with four children, Bob (Cristal) McLaughlin, Osceola, Jeremy (Angela) McLaughlin, Goshen, Ashlee (Conrad Bakker) McLaughlin, Urbana, Illinois, and Jeffrey McLaughlin, Los Angeles; 10 grandchildren, Drew Grise, Andrew McLaughlin, Zac Hicks, Quillin Hopkins, Saskia Bakker, Alayna McLaughlin, Myles McLaughlin, Sydney McLaughlin, Leo Bakker and Stella McLaughlin; and three great-grandchildren, Wilder, Rhyland and Jaxson. Also surviving are a sister, Carol (Chuck) Bender, Holly Springs, North Carolina, and a brother, Dale (Norma) McLaughlin, Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
While attending Grace Seminary he began his career at Crown International, working for more than 30 years as a marketing manager.
He was an active member of Missionary churches in the area. Throughout the years, Dave served as a youth leader, Sunday school teacher and treasurer. He also enjoyed his work with Habitat for Humanity and served on the board of director's for Inspiracom.
Dave was a great, gentle man with a curious mind, a big heart and a deep appreciation for good stories, and good conversation, always bringing his dry and witty sense of humor.
As a dad he was generous with his support, prayers and unconditional love for his children. He always looked forward to his children and grandchildren's activities.
Visitation was Sunday, Sept. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, where a 3 p.m. memorial service was conducted and livestreamed.
Nassau Herald Profile
From Dave’s Entry in the 50th Reunion Book Supplement
R. David McLaughlin (Dave) 19745 Peach Ridge Rd., Goshen, IN 46526-7205; 574-533-8127; rdmcla66@yahoo.com Spouse: Linda L. McLaughlin.
After graduation I drove to California to spend the summer configuring high-altitude research balloons with a friend from high school. No exams, no problem sets, no papers . . . who thought this up? Then back to Indiana to enter seminary. The exams and papers reappeared. Met Linda in Indiana; after two years persuaded her to marry me, in 1972. In the 44 years since, Bob, Jeremy, Ashlee, and Jeff have joined the family, grown up, gone to school, and moved on. They now manage 10 children ranging from 1 to 23 who visit often enough that we always leave the light on for them. I spent 33 years in pro-audio marketing at Crown International, writing manuals and technical papers between stints of product development. Linda taught school and sold real estate. I then worked for Habitat for Humanity for several years. We are mostly retired. I spend time editing books for a friend of mine. And Linda keeps a few real-estate clients. We swim, travel, play chess, and learn new stuff from the newest generation.
Additional Memories and Information
At Princeton, Dave majored in Electrical Engineering, had several non-’66 classmates in addition to Charles Plohn and John Schleh. Senior year, he roomed in 232 1937 Hall with Bruce Robinson, Mark Heinemann, Herbert Carpenter, and David Vidal.
If you have photos, information, or memories of Dave that you would like to share on this page, please email the Communications Team at 66_CommTeam@tiger1966.org.
Photos
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