Robert Lasher

Robert Lemuel Lasher, M.D., age 90, of Springhill in Erie, went to be with our Lord late Wednesday evening, February 25, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Born on June 15, 1924, the eldest son of the late Dr. Lemuel A. Lasher and Jewel M. Dudenhoeffer Lasher, he was a life-long resident of Erie, and an American Board of Surgery certified general surgeon and trauma leader, serving at both Saint Vincent and Hamot Hospitals for 40 years. He retired from Surgical Associates of Erie in 1993.

He was a graduate of Academy High School Class of 1942; University of Pittsburgh, 1945; and he received his M.D. from Temple University in 1947.

Doctor Lasher dedicated his life in service to others: his wife, his family, his church, our country, and the community. He served on active duty in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War, and he retired as a Captain in the Medical Corps after 33 years of service.

He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons; and he held numerous offices, including past Chief of Surgery at Saint Vincent Health Center and President of the Erie County Medical Society. He served on numerous committees at the Pennsylvania Medical Society, including his role as Chair of the Finance Committee from 1990-1994. He also served on the Board of Directors and was Chair of the Underwriting Committee at the Pennsylvania Medical Society Liability Insurance Company. He was a delegate to the American Medical Association from 1981-1997.

“Bob,” as he was known to his friends, was an active member of the Erie community. He was an assisting minister, choir member, and past President of Church Council at Luther Memorial Church; a founding member and past Chair of the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority; past Chair of the Board and President of Mutual Savings & Loan, and member of the Board at Northwest Savings Bank; past President of the Erie County Sons of the American Revolution; and he served on the Boards of the American Red Cross, Thiel College, Villa Maria College, the Professional Institute of Educational Services, the Niagara League, and as consultant to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Erie.

He was a member of the Lawrence Lodge 708 F.&A.M, Zem Zem Temple Shrine, and Scottish Rite Bodies of Erie; and he volunteered at the Erie County Blasco Library in the Heritage Room. He was the author of “Revolutionary Patriots in Erie County” (1995), and after his retirement he compiled a family genealogy of the LeSeuer-Leasure-Lasher descendants that covered three centuries, spanning ten generations and detailing nearly 350 families.

Bob was dedicated to his wife and family. He instilled the values of honesty, integrity, and commitment in his children, as well as the importance of maintaining a sense of humor, and he supported their every endeavor. He was an avid sailor and past Commodore of the Erie Yacht Club, and his yacht Caliente won Boat of the Year honors three times in the 1970s. In addition, he was a ski patrol at Peak n’ Peek, a certified scuba diver, a stamp collector, and he enjoyed the Erie Philharmonic and Playhouse. He and his wife, “Dee,” loved to travel, and they visited every continent.

Bob is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dolores Katherine Hormell Lasher; four sons, Robert Lemuel Lasher, Jr., and his wife Karul of Vienna, Virginia, and their children Aaron (Elizabeth, wife) and Elle; William Charles Lasher of Erie, and his children Matthew and Kaydee; John Scott Lasher and his wife Greta of Edinboro, and their children Everett, Elliott, and Eric; and David Brian Lasher and his wife Julie of Millcreek, and their children Mary, Tim, Giselle (Nick Fall, husband, and son Railey), Miranda (Anthony Dennis, husband, and children Evan and Lilah), and Ariel. He is also survived by his brother, J. Donald Lasher, M.D., of Rochester, and his sister Jean Jones of Fairview, as well as several nephews and nieces.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th (at Powell Ave.) on Saturday from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Lawrence Lodge No. 708 F.&A.M. will hold services on Saturday at 6pm. The funeral service will be held at Luther Memorial Church, 225 W. 10th St. on Sunday at 1pm. Burial will be in Erie Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to the Luther Memorial Church Foundation, 225 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501, or the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, 777 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Send condolences at www.BurtonFuneralHome.com