We regret to advise of the death of Robert (Bob) Hugh Benson McLaughlin on 28 December 2014 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, NB.
Born in Fort Fairfield, Maine in 1922, Bob attended Aroostook High School then the University of New Brunswick where he graduated with both a B.Sc and M.Sc in Engineering. At UNB he excelled as a student, receiving the student’s distinction awards for both Athletic and non-Athletic activities. Some years later, further graduate studies were carried on at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), Oklahoma State University and the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he received advanced degrees in engineering from those universities. In 1987 Bob was awarded the distinction of "Professor Emeritus" for his teaching expertise over his long and distinguished career.
Bob was a Royal Canadian Engineers veteran of the Second World War and, later, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1946 the University of New Brunswick requested his release from the US Army so he could accept a position as Assistant Professor at UNB and help returning veterans seeking a post-secondary education in Engineering. Receiving an Honourable Discharge from the US Army, he arrived in Fredericton in the fall of 1946 to begin his new career.
Early in his career he was heavily involved in promoting the engineering profession at both the provincial and national level. In 1951 Bob partnered with four of his colleagues to form a consulting engineering firm, Associated Designers & Inspectors where he focused on building design. Bob was also very involved in the community, serving as president of many organizations. He was a man of many actions and few words.
Family and friends are invited to McAdams Funeral Home on York Street with visitation on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 from 2:00 p.m.- 6:00 pm. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #4 will hold a tribute at 2:00 pm. A funeral will be celebrated at 2:00 pm on 1 January 2015 at St. Dunstan’s Church. Interment will be in the Hermitage Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that a donation be made to either the Chalmers Hospital Foundation, the UNB McLaughlin Beaverbrook Scholarship Fund, or a charity of the donors choice.
