In Memory of Dorothy Lauber

IN MEMORY OF DOROTHY LAUBER

The article below was submitted by Alexa Lauber, Dorothy’s daughter. This lovely piece was written by Dorothy for her husband’s memorial service, not long ago. We thought it would be nice to share Dorothy’s own thoughts about her life and about life in Greenbelt.

There are three things that have greatly influenced my life.  The first was the Depression.  I was born and raised in Oklahoma and I remember when there was a Civilian Conservation Corps camp a block east of our house and a Workman’s Progress Administration (the WPA) house to the west.  I watched the CCC boys and the WPA men come and go.  I saw my parents gather clothing and give food from our big garden to families whose children dropped out of school in the winter because they had no shoes or warm clothing.  They took in relatives, as needed.

The second thing that influenced me was Bob Lauber, my first and only blind date.   Bob had recently returned from Korea, and we had common friends that thought it was a good idea for the two of us to meet.  They set the meeting up at a local football game as football is big in Oklahoma.  I wasn’t sure about him at first.  I thought he seemed like a nice man, but he smoked, drove a yellow convertible and liked to drink in moderation.  I worked in a bank where no one was supposed to smoke or drink.  However, it wasn’t long before he won me over.  He was a true gentleman.  He was also a good dancer and liked taking me out to dinner and dancing.  He was a great cook.  I was good at box cakes and mashed potatoes.  Bob was very bright, read a lot; and along with the Big Band music of the day, he always loved classical music.  He introduced me to his family and we all just clicked right off.  His parents welcomed me warmly, and his sister and I became close friends.

In five months we were married.  On our honeymoon, we drove to Topeka, Kansas to meet his grandmother and saw the town’s first log cabin built there which had been her grandfather’s house.  He had ended up losing it in a poker game.  I also met Uncle Wes who had served time in the state prison for driving the get-away car in a bank robbery.  Bob told me about Uncle Wes, but he didn’t mention the three great uncles who committed the actual robbery.  When I met them two years later, they were still on probation and were not supposed to leave Kansas.  (We were in Oklahoma at the time.) 

Not long after our visit, we left Seminole County so Bob could go to college and then graduate school.  Those were six years of frugal living on his GI bill and my secretary’s salary, but we were experienced with what today is called “simple living”.

The third thing that changed my life was Bob’s discovery of Greenbelt in 1962.  I was still back in Oklahoma and when he phoned to say he was about to purchase a home for us in a town that had been a social experiment of the New Deal.  I was quite surprised.  We had no savings, but we came up with the 10% down payment that our $5,000 home required.  We both fell in love with Greenbelt immediately and decided this was the place to raise a family.  We had two children, Alexa, born in 1964, and Cole in 1967.  Both were involved in all the different activities that Greenbelt has to offer.

In 1976, I applied for and got the job working the City of Greenbelt as the Secretary to the City Manager (then Jim Giese).   I worked in that position for approximately 15 years and then applied for an opening for the City Clerk in 1991.  I served as the City Clerk until retirement in 1995.  I was involved in several committees (the GHI Board for 14 years, the Board of Elections for 14 years, a docent for the Greenbelt Museum since its inception, as well as serving on the Labor Day Committee for many years).   One of my favorite things to do is to walk with friends around Greenbelt. 

I’m retired now and am still in Greenbelt.  People used to ask Bob and me if we were going to go back to Oklahoma when we retired.   The answer was a resounding, NO – that we were staying put in Greenbelt.  I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

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"GHI community grieves the death of Dorothy Lauber who passed October 19.  Dorothy served the City of Greenbelt and GHI well in her quiet, unassuming way.  The many years of volunteer service she provided helped to keep things in a proper perspective."
-Greenbelt Homes, Inc.

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A true cheerleader for Greenbelt (past and present) who will be missed by many.  Thanks for so much, Dorothy!
    -Alice Mitchell

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Dorothy  was one of those extra special people in Greenbelt and GHI. Quiet and unassuming,  she was also someone of unquestionable integrity and high ethical standards. During the time I served with her on the GHI Board I remember that she didn't speak up very often, but when she did, every one listened. We all knew that her comments and opinions would be thoughtful and wise. I am sad that she has gone, and will miss her.
 -Sylvia Lewis

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Thank you Dorothy for being the steadfast person in the back of the room, and saying what needed to be said at times.  And for reminding us in your everyday life of what it can mean to live in Greenbelt.  That here in Greenbelt, we are free to speak up and be active as you want to achieve the kind of life you/we want.  You will be missed.
  -Suzette Agans

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I knew Dorothy for many years.  She was always wise, yet unassuming.  One of the best times was working together on the 50th anniversary oral history project.  I handled the video oral histories and Dorothy took down written interviews of people who didn't do the videos. Actually, she started the written project long before we thought of videos.  Her interviews are a great collection of stories from Greenbelt's pioneers.
-Leta Mach 

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I knew Dorothy as a fellow employee with the City of Greenbelt and as a member of the GHI board during the years I served on it.  It was during my time on the board though that I really came to appreciate how much she gave to the community.  She was consistently one of the best board members because of her ability to REALLY LISTEN to all sides of an issue.  She listened far more than she spoke, but when she did, it was concise, common sense and right on the mark,   She really "got" what Greenbelt and cooperative living is about.   I am saddened by her death but thankful for the influence she had on me and others.

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Dorothy is one of the people who seemed to me to epitomize the best of Greenbelt--gentle, caring, an outdoors woman with her binoculars and lengthy walks, a committed volunteer to the Audit Committee and Board of Directors. She was a great reader and we talked about books and my dog Zoe. I miss her!!!

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I did not know Dorothy long but I thoroughly enjoyed her spirit, delightful and unique accent, and her deep reservoir of wisdom.  She will be missed.

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I will miss Dorothy's peaceful, energetic presence as I'm sure so many people involved with the Greenbelt Museum will. She gave her time as a faithful docent over so many Sundays, over so many years.   Thank you   Dorothy.

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Dorothy was a great role model. I was lucky to sit next to her while serving on GHI's board for two years. She had strong convictions, which she voiced solidly and calmly. One, amongst several things I learned from her her, was that one can dissent without getting worked up. She had a wonderful quiet wisdom about her. And I know she was great mother too, as I am now friends with her daughter Alexa, another amazing woman. Dorothy, you are already missed.
- Luisa F. Robles

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I will certainly miss my delightful conversations with her when she walked Lacey. She was always upbeat about everything and offered practical advice on a variety of topics. She helped me adjust to being a board member and furnished me with a wealth of materials. Dorothy loved Greenbelt and devoted much much of her life to enhancing its stature. 
-Irv Wartell

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 I enjoyed working with Dorothy on the Marketing Committee and seeing her walk through my court on her morning constitutionals with her friends. I appreciated her humor and all the years she devoted to our cooperative and to the city of Greenbelt.  My condolences to Dorothy's family and friends for such a difficult loss.
-Cynthia Newcomer

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Dorothy was the kind of person everyone admired and respected. She didn't speak up much, but when she did, people listened. She and I often shared "cat stories", and we shared a love of nature. Dorothy gave unselfishly to the community. It is hard to imagine GHI without her! We shall miss her wise and gentle ways. 
-Gretchen Overdurff

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My mother Dorothy Lauber was a loving parent while I was growing up in Greenbelt.  When I returned from the Army, she was my truest friend, my most enthusiastic cheerleader, and my greatest role model.  She was a cute little lady, but she was strong and resilient until her last waking moment.  This is the greatest loss I have ever had to deal with.  When I think of her, I can remember her smile, her gentle voice, and her laugh.  Greenbelt was like heaven to her.  She was so proud of her town.  I hope heaven resembles Old Greenbelt, with all its trees, quiet tranquility, and plenty of friends and loved ones to share it with.

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Our deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Lauber. She was a very kind person and loved her family very much. I use to work with Alexis. My deepest sympathy to her and her son. 
-Beverly and David Lynch