Friends and family gathered last Saturday morning to celebrate the life of one of Bethlehem’s illustrious sons, Dr. Russel K. Laros Jr. They came together June 24 at Rosemont Lutheran Church on West Broad Street just as the morning’s cloudy start gave way to brilliant blue skies.

The memorial service was attended by family which included his son, Russell Keller Laros III of Hawaii and his daughter Ann Laros-Weaver of Dubai both of whom spoke to the attendees. Several grandchildren and other family members also attended.

Russell Laros shared several humorous stories about his father and his father’s life-long friend, former Bethlehem Mayor Gordon Mowrer.

Ann Laros-Weaver shared anecdotes about Dr. Laros’ military service as an Air Force doctor in Oklahoma in the 1960s.

Family friends also attended. One of these was Betsy Mowrer, wife of former Bethlehem Mayor Gordon Mowrer who had been a life-long friend to Dr. Laros. Mrs. Mowrer shared memories of and stories about Dr. Laros and her late husband.

Professional colleagues and members of the board of directors for the R. K. Laros Foundation also attended the ceremony which celebrated the life of Dr. Laros.

Sharon Jones Zondag, executive director of the R. K. Laros Foundation, attended. The Laros Foundation hosted a “celebration of life” event in the Laros room following the memorial service.

Dr. Joel C. Rosenfeld, chief academic officer of St. Luke’s University Health Network, attended along with R. K. Laros Foundation board members Diane Donaher and Laurie Gostley-Hackett of Air Products.

Greater Valley YMCA President and CEO David Fagerstrom expressed his appreciation for the Dr. Laros’s and the R. K. Laros Foundation’s support for the YMCA.

Dr. Laros had been a life-long member of Rosemont Lutheran Church and had been on the building committee that built the current church, according to Reverend Jack a. Steltzer who officiated at the ceremony.

Dr. Russell K. Laros, 81, died Feb.17, 2017 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, after struggling with dementia for several years. He was a well-known gynecologist, obstetrician and educator.