Obituary for Robert James Lauchlan
Robert J. Lauchlan, or Bob, as he was known to friends and family, was born in Kansas City, MO. on July 13, 1925, in the home of his parents, James and Alice Lauchlan. He was the second of four children born to Jim and Alice and the only son. He trusted Jesus as his Savior at a young age and both of his parents were believers. When he was 17, he joined the Navy where most of the time he was an airplane mechanic. He was praying for time in battle! His mom was praying he would never experience the horrors of war! Her prayers were answered in the affirmative because he never saw a battle! After completing his time in the military, he went to Junior College here in Kansas City. He then applied for a job as a mechanic at TWA but was told he was more qualified for a desk job. So began a long career with TWA that eventually ended as a Vice President in the company.
After a blind date with Elizabeth Bechtel (initiated by one of his sisters), their courtship began! They were married June 6, 1951, in Kansas City! Bob was a great carpenter and with help from various people built their first home on a few acres in Overland Park, KS. Their family followed in quick order, Laura Ann, Linda Lou, Robert James, Jr., Eric William, and Andrew Phillip all arrived in the next 10 years. Their little house was bulging but Bob finished the upstairs with another bedroom and bathroom. He built a barn at the back of their property and it had a little workshop attached to it. In addition to the work Bob did on their house, he made picture frames, wooden items for the kitchen, and even small pieces of furniture.
In 1966, Bob was transferred to New York City with TWA. Bob and Beth had already been considering a move to a bigger house and they bought one in beautiful Wilton, CT. It was a new build and a big improvement as far as space for the family! The family lived there for about 13 years and Bob’s career at TWA flourished! The move to CT. made Bob’s commute to the city very long every day and he spent many hours on the commuter train! His workday started very early and ended very late and his morning habits included an early morning (about 4:30 AM) run before he went to work! He had many opportunities both locally and internationally to work with civic leaders and heads of state in the Middle East. He gave all the credit for his achievements to the Lord and always said, “It was not because I was any better than anyone else: It was because the Lord blessed me in my work and gave me the ability to do it well!”
Proverbs 2:6-7
“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice and He preserves the way of His godly ones.”
In 1979, Bob was transferred back to Kansas City, and they purchased 33 acres in Platte City and in 1980 they built a New England farmhouse which Beth designed on their property. A few years later, after the barn was built, they bought their first Arabian mare, Beesha. They bred her several times and eventually had four mares there.
As the family had enjoyed many great times in Connecticut, they also had great times together on the farm. All the grandkids learned to ride horses there and there were countless family gatherings, hayrides, and cookouts. Bob loved these family times together and looked forward to them with great anticipation! Most often, you could find Bob on his tractor in one of the fields taking care of the property. He kept the place always looking like a first-class National Park. He added a loft over the garage and used black walnut trees off the property for the floors and the paneling and woodwork in the room. Bob loved his Lord, his wife, and his family and friends and will be missed by all of us, but we know where he is! Long ago he believed Jesus’ words in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”
II Cor. 5:6-10
Robert James Lauchlan, known as “Bob,” to friends and family, passed from this life to his eternal home Thursday, October 27, 2022. He was the second child born to Jim and Alice Lauchlan of Kansas City, MO. He grew up in Kansas City and lived in the same house he was born in until he joined the Navy at 17 years of age. Following his military service, he came back to Kansas City and attended Junior College in Kansas City until he was employed by TWA. He married Beth Bechtel in June of 1951, and they were married for 70 years until she preceded him by death on March 1 of this same year. He is survived by his 5 children and their spouses, Roger and Laura Blundell, Linda Ahern, Robert James Lauchlan, Jr., Eric William Lauchlan, Andrew and Jennifer Lauchlan. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. Both Bob and Beth were members of Church of the Open Door in Leavenworth, KS. The funeral service will be held at Church of the Open Door at 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 5, 2022 and will be followed by a dinner.
After a blind date with Elizabeth Bechtel (initiated by one of his sisters), their courtship began! They were married June 6, 1951, in Kansas City! Bob was a great carpenter and with help from various people built their first home on a few acres in Overland Park, KS. Their family followed in quick order, Laura Ann, Linda Lou, Robert James, Jr., Eric William, and Andrew Phillip all arrived in the next 10 years. Their little house was bulging but Bob finished the upstairs with another bedroom and bathroom. He built a barn at the back of their property and it had a little workshop attached to it. In addition to the work Bob did on their house, he made picture frames, wooden items for the kitchen, and even small pieces of furniture.
In 1966, Bob was transferred to New York City with TWA. Bob and Beth had already been considering a move to a bigger house and they bought one in beautiful Wilton, CT. It was a new build and a big improvement as far as space for the family! The family lived there for about 13 years and Bob’s career at TWA flourished! The move to CT. made Bob’s commute to the city very long every day and he spent many hours on the commuter train! His workday started very early and ended very late and his morning habits included an early morning (about 4:30 AM) run before he went to work! He had many opportunities both locally and internationally to work with civic leaders and heads of state in the Middle East. He gave all the credit for his achievements to the Lord and always said, “It was not because I was any better than anyone else: It was because the Lord blessed me in my work and gave me the ability to do it well!”
Proverbs 2:6-7
“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice and He preserves the way of His godly ones.”
In 1979, Bob was transferred back to Kansas City, and they purchased 33 acres in Platte City and in 1980 they built a New England farmhouse which Beth designed on their property. A few years later, after the barn was built, they bought their first Arabian mare, Beesha. They bred her several times and eventually had four mares there.
As the family had enjoyed many great times in Connecticut, they also had great times together on the farm. All the grandkids learned to ride horses there and there were countless family gatherings, hayrides, and cookouts. Bob loved these family times together and looked forward to them with great anticipation! Most often, you could find Bob on his tractor in one of the fields taking care of the property. He kept the place always looking like a first-class National Park. He added a loft over the garage and used black walnut trees off the property for the floors and the paneling and woodwork in the room. Bob loved his Lord, his wife, and his family and friends and will be missed by all of us, but we know where he is! Long ago he believed Jesus’ words in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”
II Cor. 5:6-10
Robert James Lauchlan, known as “Bob,” to friends and family, passed from this life to his eternal home Thursday, October 27, 2022. He was the second child born to Jim and Alice Lauchlan of Kansas City, MO. He grew up in Kansas City and lived in the same house he was born in until he joined the Navy at 17 years of age. Following his military service, he came back to Kansas City and attended Junior College in Kansas City until he was employed by TWA. He married Beth Bechtel in June of 1951, and they were married for 70 years until she preceded him by death on March 1 of this same year. He is survived by his 5 children and their spouses, Roger and Laura Blundell, Linda Ahern, Robert James Lauchlan, Jr., Eric William Lauchlan, Andrew and Jennifer Lauchlan. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. Both Bob and Beth were members of Church of the Open Door in Leavenworth, KS. The funeral service will be held at Church of the Open Door at 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 5, 2022 and will be followed by a dinner.