Robert McLaughlin 20/3/1936 - 12/5/2006   A personal note by his webmaster, and son in law. There are only happy thoughts and memories of great days and long discussions on broad subjects. Never an argument, only the occasional  fatherly shake of the head. A poem recited by his daughter Julie Law on the occasion of his 70th Birthday - which says it all A speech by Martin McDonald son in law Number 1 - which added balance and made us laugh. And as always there is another generation to replaced lost ones. Some great news from Iain Valentine - son of Elizabeth (Betty ) Baby Valentine

Robert sadly passed away just before 4pm on Friday 12th May 2006. He had suffered a heart attack on Tuesday 9th and went peacefully and without pain, surrounded by his family and supported by many friends.

 

A personal message from William McKissock. 

There are few who can be described as MORALLY BEYOND REPROACH

Robert McLaughlin was I believe such a man.

A committed Christian and a man of honour, who had faithless devotion to his wife, his children and grandchildren. A helpful and selfless brother to Tommy, Betty and many others in the McLaughlin,  McKendry clans.

Was a father in law and friend to my three brothers in law and  myself   – who strived for years to balance the female supremacy of the family – but in the end graciously, bowed to them as winners?

Robert you would think after 30 years in the police, fighting against the bad men and upholding the law, would have perhaps taken it a bit easier in retirement, NO

If he saw injustice, a person wronged or in need… he would get involved

Be it a letter to the council, MP or newspaper, he would state his case in a manner that showed him without fear or favour.  It was always the honest way, the moral way.

I am glad that he, during spells away from fighting the good fight, He took time to travel with Anne and enjoy himself – it was always a question in our and no doubt the other daughters homes -  ‘ I wonder if Mum and Dad can baby-sit . The answer would seasonally be  - No they are in China, America, France, Spain or Ireland.  A yearly planner was a must for all.

Whilst the man was always on the side of the Angels, he did have flaws and unanswered quests.  They were not bad, they did not breach any of his high moral standards and he would control them (when told!!!) but the search would always continue.

They were - 

Where can you obtain the best and possibly the largest portion of minestrone soup in this country (or for that matter the world)

With reference to buffet dinners, especially at Indian restaurants, is it etiquette to have three main courses, after you’ve wiped the pattern off the starter plate.

What is the cheapest 5pm.com dinner for two that can be obtained?

In scrabble  - can you use biblical, Latin, Greek or made up words and get away with it.   Not in the company of Anne and her daughters you cant!.

In computing – which he loved – and gave him a means to use his communication skills to great effect. He could contact distant family and colleagues, be involved in local and world events, and his pride and joy  - The McLaughlin family tree opus. It was like a wean with a new toy – He could get frustrated with it, but he endeavoured to persevere and in the end the result was in my opinion a fine work.

He gathered together a massive family history added anecdotes of his youth in the Garngad, The Police and Family.   Many relatives have gained joy and knowledge from this hobby.  I hope and trust that others including myself will add to it as a fitting tribute to the man.

And his other Hobbies, Bowls where a relaxing and rewarding challenge. He won cups and championships, but fair play was always the way – an adherent of the rule book and a gracious loser.

There were day and night classes in Photography, languages and even Bridge, social activities for a very social man – he enjoyed company.

 

Having lost my father many years ago, I gained a new dad and a friend. I will miss the attempts to educate him in the dark arts of computing.  I will miss the occasional overindulgent curry night. The discussions we had on religion, politics and local issues, he enjoyed a good gab, had his own views, but as always allowed you to express yourself

He gave me advice and fatherly support when required and has shown me a position to aspire to.  Although I have to say he cannot be overtaken in many fields.

I two great memories of Robert, the first when one Sunday afternoon, I sat alone, nervous in the living room of Lochinver Drive and asked for his daughters hand in marriage – to which he,  after a tearful look said… "are you sure kid"?.

And on the 26^th July 1999 when I told him that he was a grandfather again and the boy would be named after him.  Now Master Robert William McKissock continues the quest… how much can I eat and why does this computer not do as its told.

 

I hope and trust that we may aspire to his faith, his honesty and friendship that he has shown throughout his life.

 

He is now with his god, his friends and others in a place, where the discussions have no time limit, his questions may be answered and you can use any word in scrabble, because they have better rules than us.

 

The poem Julie wrote and recited for her dad at his 70th Birthday ( in 70 words ).  A fantastic day , we will all remember.

Glaswegian before Scot

Police officer – retired

Upstanding citizen

Loyal friend

Good neighbour

Petrol price monitor

Broadsheet letter writer

Fighter of the good fight

Committed Christian

Christmas soup maker

Carnivore

Computer wizard – apprentice

Champion bowler

Avid photographer

Whisky connoisseur

Lover of Mills Brothers music

World traveller

Enquiring genealogist

Supportive brother in law, uncle, cousin

Dependable brother

Approving father in law

Doting grandpa

Number one Dad

Loving husband to a wonderful woman

Not at all bad for a boy fae the Garngad

 

A glowing tribute from Son in Law Number 1  - Martin McDonald. Which he delivered after Roberts funeral and would have made the man laugh. We saluted him with a glass of Johnny Walker Blue Label, just one of his favourite tipples.

 

Bob McLaughlin - "See that Henrik Larsson"

You have heard and will hear a number of glowing tributes honouring the memory of Bob McLaughlin.  So I feel it is my duty to add some balance.

I would like to set the record straight by giving my opinion of some of Bob’s more idiosyncratic philosophies and opinions. 

You are allowed to eat pineapple.

A Hawaiian Pizza is not the food of the devil.

Removing the pineapple from a Hawaiian pizza means it is now just a ham pizza.

Similarly, removing the pineapple from a Sweet and Sour Chicken only makes it a Sour Chicken.

Music has existed since the Mills Brothers.  The Beatles were not just another copy-cat tribute band.

The 12 year old Macallan is not better than the 18 year old.  The fact that you can only buy the 12 year old in an airport duty free does not make it better than something you can buy from Oddbins over the counter.

The measure of a good minestrone soup is not that you have to use a knife and fork.  It is possible to have an excellent minestrone soup which contains some measure of liquid.

When loading some unknown free program from the internet, turning off the anti-virus software so that it can be loaded more quickly is not a good idea.  Also, hiding all of your passwords in a secret file on your computer called “My Passwords” is not very secure.

If an Italian restaurant advertises a “Pasta Challenge”, it is not compulsory to accept.  The purpose is to allow the patrons to sample the delights of Italian food.  It is not an offer for you to bankrupt their business. It is similarly not compulsory to accept the challenges of Indian or Chinese restaurants.

No other family has the tradition that when everyone sits around a table to eat, the head man has to spill a glass of red wine over the tablecloth half-way through a meal.  There is a reason for this.

 And to finish, my personal favourite quote that still makes me laugh

“I don’t think that Henrik Larsson will amount to much”.

I would like to propose a toast

To a man with a heart of gold and a head full of mince  

 

The Generations continue....

The New Arrival    Eoin David Daniel Valentine    June 5th, 2006 at 6:02pm

A son for  Iain Valentine and his wife Roxane Geller  now of Seattle Washington State USA
This young man will now become entry 180 ( when we get around to it ).

Our love and best wishes to our American clan - you are restoring the balance. Enjoy your son.  There are no doubt two men in a higher place with happy thoughts ( when they are not discussing - Politics, History, Food and Amber Nectar)

      

Generation 6, being Betty moves onto Generation 7  Iain and now GENERATION 8 young Eoin

74 Elizabeth (Betty) McLaughlin⁶ (Robert (Big Robey)⁵ Henry (Red Harry)⁴ Thomas³John², Henry¹); b.19.12.1937, at home 33 Tharsis Street, Glasgow, Scotland.   She emigrated to the USA in 1959.   She met and married Daniel Bartholomnew Valentine, b. circa 1940 in Nebraska USA, d. 14.12.1992 at their home in Eugene, Oregon, USA. Dan was a paraplegic.  He contracted Polio at the age of 12 and was in a wheel chair for the rest of his life.

Children of Elizabeth McLaughlin and Daniel Bartholomew Valentine.

            i            Lisa Valentine⁷; b. 10.10.1963, USA

            ii           Iain Valentine⁷; b. 28.12.1971.USA

 

 

 

 

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