Dr. James W. Laughlin, of Indiana, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, in Indiana, surrounded by his family.
The son of the late Walton and Elizabeth Richards Laughlin, Jim was born in Glassport on Oct. 6, 1928. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Evan Den Laughlin.
Jim played varsity football during high school in Glassport and at Indiana State Teachers College (IUP). After graduation he entered the U.S. Army, where his final assignment included surveying the territory now known as Alaska. Following his army service, he attended Penn State University, where he received his master’s and doctorate in education. He devoted many years to guiding young lives in their pursuit of higher education. In 1989, he retired from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was Dean of Student Services and a professor in the Student Personnel Services Graduate Program.
Jim initiated and chaired the committee to establish the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame, into which he was later inducted. He was instrumental in the restoration of IUP’s Breezedale Alumni Center, served as president of the IUP Alumni Association for 16 years, received the IUP Distinguished Alumni Award, and was the recipient of the Bell Ringer Award for service to IUP.
Jim was a member of Grace United Methodist Church since 1962, where he taught Sunday school. He was a member of the Allied Club and the Indiana Rotary.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Anderson Laughlin, of Indiana; four children: Jim and wife Deborah, of Indiana; Bill and wife Maura, of Cary, NC; Jane and husband Jim Sweeney, of Seabrook, TX; Dr. Anne Laughlin and husband Jeff Busche, of Ithaca, NY; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Robinson-Lytle, Inc. A private memorial service for the family will be held at a later time. Interment will be in Lloyd Cemetery in Ebensburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial contributions be made to the Indiana County Humane Society, 191 Airport Road, Indiana, PA 15701.
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