Alfred Laber

Alfred Wilmer "Bill" Laber died Dec. 13, 2011, in Mims, Fla., of congestive heart failure. He was 80 years old.

Alfred was born Nov. 8, 1931, in Charlestown, N.H., the fourth son of Frank D. and Pearl I. (LaBombard) Laber. Named in part for his uncle Wilmer, he was known in his youth as Bill until he moved to the West. He grew up in Newport, N.H., with his brothers Charles, Robert, Clarence (Barney) and Roger, and his sister Jean. His family operated East Mountain Farm dairy.

Alfred graduated from Towle High School in Newport and from Montana State University in Missoula with a degree in forestry. He worked in Missoula for a short time for the Montana State Forestry Department and then began a career with the U.S. Forest Service. That position took him to Hungry Horse, Whitefish, Dorset and Manchester, Vt., Kamiah Idaho, Columbia Falls and Slate Creek, Idaho. After his retirement, Alfred became a full-time RV-er, and seasonally lived in Soldotna, Alaska, New Hampshire, Maine and Florida, which finally became his permanent home.

Alfred married Evelyn Hodges in 1953 and they had three children. They divorced in 1978. He married Sue Van Allen in 1980 and they also divorced.

As a young man, Alfred enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers, and later with his friends who either lived in the West, or came west to visit and hunt. Alfred was in the University of New Hampshire Air Force ROTC program, and was an award-winning competitive marksman on the UNH varsity rifle team. He enjoyed square dancing, camping, and driving back roads to look at the wildlife.

As a young father, Alfred was involved in Scouting with his sons and later with Kiwanis. He was a member of the Columbia Falls Volunteer Ambulance service. Alfred participated in genealogical research, from seeking out vital records to searching for family headstones. He enjoyed playing guitar, harmonica or piano in jam sessions with friends and family.

Alfred was very attached to his three giant white cats, Mama Shiska, Tasha and Mr. Bailey, and to his Sheltie, Danny Boy.

Alfred was predeceased in death by his father in 1964, his mother in 1984, his brother Robert in 1994, his brother Barney in 2011 and his niece Margaret in 2011.

He is survived by his special friend of 15 years, Jackie Saunders, in Mims, Fla.; his children Susan Hintz and husband Willis, of Lolo, Glen Laber, of Littleton, Colo., and Steven Laber, of Parker, Colo.; his brothers Charles Laber and wife Phyllis, of Newport N.H., and Roger Laber and wife Magnea, of Soldotna, Alaska; his sister Jean Callum and husband David, of Lake Dunmore, Vt.; his sister-in-law Isabell Laber, of Newport; his cousins Earl Laber, of Newport, Vt., and Avis Augustinovich and husband Andy, of Springfield, Vt.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Hospice of St. Francis for the care and support provided to Alfred and our family.