Robert W. "Bob" Laird

Robert W. "Bob" Laird Battle Creek Robert W. "Bob" Laird, 82, of Battle Creek died peacefully after a long illness on November 5, 2010. Bob was born in Battle Creek on August 13, 1928, to the late Lester and Gwenyth Laird. Bob graduated from Lakeview High School in 1946 and from Michigan State University School of Forestry in 1950. As a young man, Bob was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant in the Battle Creek Reserve. He was also a 60-year member of the Battle Creek Lodge #12 F&AM. For most of Bob's life he co-owned the Blue Diamond Lumber Yards with his brothers James "Jim" and John "Jack" Laird. In later years, Bob enjoyed working on home projects with his best friend and twin brother, Jim. Bob also enjoyed living a natural-holistic lifestyle, talk radio, and reading, particularly historical novels and the works of Rudyard Kipling and Thomas Wolf. Bob is survived by his brother, James "Jim" Laird of Battle Creek; his son, Randall (Maida Zissis) Laird of Palm Harbor, Florida; and daughters, Gwenyth Laird (Keith) Pernie of Hendersonville, North Carolina and Patty (Mark) Anderson of Hickory, North Carolina. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, Megan, Brooke, Cosmo, Monica, Aaron and Ollie, and nieces, Cindy, Connie and Karen. Bob was preceded in death by Marjory Laird and his brother, John Laird. At the request of the family, a celebration of Bob's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707. Arrangements were entrusted to the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.