Obituary: Dr. Roy C. Laible, Scientist for U.S. Government, Neighborhood Dog Walker

Obituary from Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service: 

Dr. Roy C. Laible, 89, recently of Newton, former longtime resident of Boston and Wellesley, died Dec. 17, 2013 at The Stone Institute in Newton.

Born in Boston June 16, 1924 he was son of the late Julius and Josephine (Noether) Laible. He attended Boston public schools and graduated from Boston Latin School. He received a bachelor degree from Northeastern University in Boston and a PhD in Chemistry from M.I.T. in Cambridge.

Dr. Laible worked as a scientist for the United States government for many years. His work focused on ballistic materials and penetration mechanics. He is the author of several books: "Laminates for Ballistic Protection," "Scanning Electron Microscopy as Related to the Study of High Speed Fiber Impact," "Compounding of Phosphazenes for Military Applications," "A Review of the Development of Ballistic Needle-Punched Felts" and "Ballistic Materials and Penetration Mechanics (Methods and Phenomena, their applications in science and technology)." After retiring from his government work, Dr. Laible was a scientific consultant for large corporations, including Texaco, and was a public speaker at conferences throughout the country. He traveled throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Germany and Russia immersing himself in the local culture often staying at youth hostels and private homes. He loved meeting new people of different cultures and generations.

A longtime resident of Boston and Wellesley, he was committed to health and fitness, enjoyed long walks and playing tennis into his 80s. He loved dogs and became the resident dog walker for his neighbors in Wellesley.

Survivors include his two nieces, Karen L. Newcombe of Pepperell and Linda L. Falco of Tyngsboro; one nephew, Robert K. Laible of Hong Kong; three grandnephews, John A. Falco of Tyngsboro and Christien S. Laible and Carter T. Laible, both of Hong Kong; and one grandniece, Elizabeth Laible of Hong Kong. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert J. Laible.

Memorial service will be held Monday, Dec. 23, 10 a.m. in the Farrar Chapel of the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford St., Concord Center. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. John Lombard, pastor of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Concord.

Interment at a later date will be in Plymouth Cemetery, Plymouth.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to MSPCA – Angell, 350 S. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.