Robert R. "Bob" Laybourn

Legendary Robert R. “Bob” Laybourn, 93, passed away June 11 at his home in Cheyenne, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born March 28, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Hale and Reba Laybourn. Bob’s family moved to Cheyenne when Bob was very young, and he grew up as a scrappy west-side kid.

At 17, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was sent to the Pacific Theatre; served on the islands of Sai Pan and Okinawa, and he was one of the first troops to enter Japan after the bomb was dropped. After Bob returned home from the war, he graduated from Cheyenne High School. With skilled hands, hard work and a talent for construction, he became one of Cheyenne’s most respected contractors. Boy, did he love his work. He worked with all his sons, and for the past 26 years had the pleasure of working with Corey Merrill, his best friend and great partner.

Bob met Margaret Reed, the love of his life, at her flower shop and, in October 1946, they were married at St. Mary’s Cathedral in the bishop’s chapel by Monsignor Hartman. Bob and Margaret bought a house on Warren Avenue, and started their family. With his wife by his side and kids in tow, Bob shared his love for Wyoming and passion for wild places and great adventures. To the top of Wyoming’s highest mountain at Gannett Peak, above and beyond the Grand Tetons and to the depths of its most remote river canyons, Bob led the way.

Whether by paddle, pedal or ski, Bob guided his family across the Rocky Mountains, the Snowy Range, Wind River Range, the Laramie River and the Platte River, which were some of his favorite places to adventure. A Volkswagen with two canoes on top, loaded with bikes and kids could be seen rambling off into the wild most weekends of Bob’s life for more than five decades.

He loved to laugh, often times at himself, and spared no one. With his wit and warm smile, Bob could diffuse tension, and was always quick to joke he would meet ya at the Green Door (but never went). Bob retired from construction at 86, and in retirement he continued to enjoy the outdoors. From 2018 to just three weeks ago, Bob rode 700 miles on a tandem bike with his son, Dan. Above all, Bob was a loving, dedicated father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Bob is survived by his wife of 73 years, Margaret; children, Dimity (Dennis) O’Neill, Robert J. Laybourn, Peter (Barbara) Laybourn, Felicity Lynch, Melissa (Carroll) Leger, Royal (Leslie) Laybourn, John Laybourn (Madeline Algier), Dan Laybourn, Tatiana Maxwell (Ted Weaver) and Jim (Julie) Laybourn; grandchildren, Nate (Shannon) O’Neill, Jackson Laybourn, Kathleen (Joe) Jaure, Josephine Lynch (Sam Carlson), Christopher (Mary) Leger, Rachel Leger, Doran Laybourn, Hayden (Anna) Laybourn, Annalee (Farhad) Irani, Jake Laybourn (Kassondra Elliot), Stephanie Carneal, Caroline Sowell, Laramie Maxwell, India Maxwell, Keats Maxwell and Marrakech Maxwell; and great-grandchildren, Oliva O’Neill, Makenna Ortiz, Ava, Atticus, Seneca, Doran and Arabella Jaure, Micah Leger, Atlas Laybourn, Kaia Laybourn, Serina Elliot, Vilas Laybourn, Derik Laybourn, Carina Janis, Victoria and Vanessa Carneal.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his six siblings, Maria Louise, Louise Marie, Hale, Patricia, Betty and Jackie; grandsons, Robert Reed Laybourn and Jimmy Lynch; and his son-in-law, Jim Lynch.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Cheyenne. Reception to follow at Hartman Hall.