Theodore E. Lauer, age 81, passed on Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, in Laramie after a long illness. Professor Lauer was born on Feb. 4, 1931, in Beloit, Wis., the first child of Theodore E. Lauer Sr. and Lolita Posey Rambo Lauer.

Professor Lauer attended Millikin University, graduating in 1953 with a B.A. He graduated from Washington University in 1956 with LL.B and finally received his S.J.D from the University of Michigan in 1958. Professor Lauer had a long and successful career in law beginning in 1958 with a law practice, Cave & Lauer in Fulton, Mo. He then became Prosecuting Attorney of Calloway County, Mo., in 1961.

Forever the teacher, Professor Lauer began his teaching career at the University of Missouri School of Law in 1962 and continued until 1970. Professor Lauer was then offered a position as the director of the National Juvenile Law Center in St. Louis, Mo., where he served from 1971-1974 and also had a position as a visiting professor at Saint Louis University. His next law endeavor was in Santa Fe, N. M., where he started the law practice of Lauer & Lauer, later to become Lauer & Mandel from 1974-1980. Professor Lauer then took a teaching position at the University of Wyoming School of Law beginning in 1980. He served as Associate Dean from 1982-1986 and was the director of the Prosecution Assistance Clinical Program. Professor Lauer retired from the University in 2004, but continued teaching as Professor Emeritus until 2012. Professor Lauer met Barbara L. Shepherd in Santa Fe, N. M., and they were married on March 19, 1981, in Laramie. He had a great love for the law, legal services for the downtrodden, legal reform and his teaching. He also enjoyed music, history, wildlife and the great outdoors.

He is survived by his wife Barbara of Laramie; sons David Lauer and Robert Lauer and daughters Barbara LaRocca and Elizabeth Jones; five grandchildren. His surviving brothers are Howard Lauer, Bruce Lauer, William Lauer and Rick Lauer.

Services at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home in Laramie, followed by a graveside service in Green Hill Cemetery.

Published in Laramie Boomerang (WY) ~ Sunday, October 14, 2012