Laird D Waldo

Laird D. Waldo, 83 noted for his career at Hubbard Milling Company, Mankato, MN and leadership roles in conducting numerous fundraising activities, died of a heart attack on February 24, 2004 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, FL.

Mr. Waldo was born May 14, 1920, to Earl A. and Mary (Laird) Waldo in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis and attended Carleton College, Northfield, before transferring to the University of Minnesota Law School. After enlisting in the Navy in December of 1941, he entered military service at University of Notre Dame officer training school and served on board a destroyer engaged in anti-submarine warfare in the Atlantic and Pacific. He was honorably discharged in December 1945 as Lt. Sr. Grade and second-in-command of his ship. Returning to law school, he graduated in 1947.

His interest in taxation law, led him to become a Certified Public Accountant and partner in the regional firm of Boulay, Anderson, Waldo and Co. in Minneapolis. In 1958, he joined Hubbard Milling Company, Mankato, where he was instrumental in the companys growth from a flour mill and three feed plant operations to a diversified agri-business enterprise with facilities in ten states, employing 1200 people. He retired as president in 1982.

An active member of professional, business and community organizations, he belonged to the Minnesota Bar Association, Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He served on the Board of Directors of Hubbard Milling Company, First Bank Mankato, Mankato Citizens Telephone Company, North Star Universal, Minneapolis Education Association of Southern Minnesota, United Way, Immanuel-St. Josephs Hospital, Mankato Area Foundation, Mankato Golf Club, Mankato Rotary, Twin Valley Council of Boy Scouts, YMCA Camp Olson and Minnesota Taxpayers Association.

Other affiliations and positions included Ham & Eggs Breakfast Club, Minneapolis, Minneapolis Athletic Club, Mankato Golf Club President, Mankato Elks Club, Chi Psi Fraternity President, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity President, Minnesota Republican Party " Second District Finance Chairman, Congressman Tom Hagedorn Finance Chairman, Mankato Family YMCA Director of Endowment Gift Development, Williams-Minneopa Outdoor Learning Center Finance Drive Chairman, United Way Campaign Chairman, Governors Task Force on Agri-business Economic Development Policy Chairman, Centenary United Methodist Church Administrative Council, Multi-Church Center Board of Trustees, and Mankato Valley Venture Capital Club. He enjoyed domestic and world travel, hunting, swimming, golfing, coconut ice cream, and was an avid reader.

On October 21, 1944 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., he married Gretchen Bartlett of Auburn, Massachusetts, who was serving in the Navy. She survives him, as do two daughters, Joslin W. Anderson and her husband Thomas of Mankato, and Mary B. Waldo of Marlborough, MA., one son David L. Waldo and his wife Denise of Minneapolis; five grandchildren, Todd D. Anderson and his wife Alicia of Minneapolis, Jennifer J. Anderson of Brooklyn Park, Benjamin T. Anderson of Minneapolis, Collin L. McGeary of Marlborough, MA and Ryan B. McGeary of Sudbury, MA; and two great-granddaughters, Hannah S. Anderson and Sara S. Anderson both of Minneapolis. His parents and two infant brothers preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2004 at Centenary United Methodist Church, Mankato, with Pastors Dean Wolf and Pam Serdar officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Mankato Family YMCA Endowment Fund or to an organization of the donors choice.