Children:
Living Son
Helen Margaret Laros
Living Daughter
Living Daughter
Living Daughter
Sibling(s):
James Alvin Laros
Walter Clayton Laros |
Notes:
Easton Express, Monday, November 14, 1955, page 1
Russell K. Laros, Textile Company Founder, Is Dead
Easton Native, 62, Was Graduate, Trustee of Lafayette College
Ruseel Keller Laros, 62, Bethlehem Industrialist, native of Easton and trustee of Lafayette College, died Saturday at 10:30 p.m. at his home on the Bethlehem0Bath pike, Bethlehem. He had been ill a long time.
Mr. Laros was the founder of R. K. Laros Textile Co. He served as its president, treasurer and general manger until his death.
He was graduated from Easton High School in 1910 and received an electrical engineering degree at Lafayette College in 1914. He was named to the Lafayette board of trustees in 1946.
Mr. Laros was a leader in wide range of civic charitable and cultural activities in Bethlehem.
Born in Easton on June 29, 1893 he was a son of Alvin Laros, now of Flourtown, and the late Eliza Keller Laros.
At Lafayette he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and played the organ at college chapel services.
After graduation from college he was employed by Standard Oil Co. of New York, Lehigh Valley Light & Power Co., Public service Co of New York, and H.N Crowder Jr. Co, Easton.
He established the first R. K. Laros silk plant at Miller Heights in 1920 set up a new plant of east Broad Street in Bethlehem in 1922, and organized the Kingston Division of Laros Textiles in 1943. While primarily a textile manufacturing concern, the company also produces plavolex, a synthetic blood fortifier.
Mr. Laros interests outside of business were many and varied.
He was a trustee and former president of St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill. He had served on the Bethlehem Authority since 1941, most recently as vice president and was treasurer of the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority. He was a trustee of the Bethlehem YMCA and a director of the Hospital Service Plan of the Lehigh Valley.
His interest in music was reflected in his services as vice president of the Bethlehem Bach Choir for the last 18 years and as treasurer of the Bethlehem Friends of Music from 1931, to 1954.
Mr. Laros was a member and former corporate president of Rosemont Lutheran Church, Bethlehem. He was a past president of the Bethlehem Tuberculosis and Health Society, Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, Bethlehem Rotary Club, and Wiley House, the Allentown – Bethlehem children’s home.
In addition he had served as a director of the Pennsylvania Chamber of commerce. Foreign Policy Association of the Lehigh Valley, YMCA, Boys Club, Community Chest, and American Red Cross, all of Bethlehem, and as a trust of Lankenau Hospital, Philadelphia.
Other directorates he had held include seats on the board of St. Louis Car co., Allentown-Bethlehem Gas Co, (Now Lehigh Valley Division, United Gas Improvement So.) National Federation of Textiles, Throwers, Research Institute, and International Silk Guild.
He was a member of the Bethlehem Club, Saucon Valley Country club, Honorary First Defenders University Club of New York, Union League of Philadelphia, Merion Gold Club and Newcomen Society of England.
His service to the community was recognized in 1932, when he received the civic award of Bethlehem B’nia Brith, and in 1937, when he was cited by the Harry F. Johnson American Legion ost, Bethlehem, for distinguished service.
Surviving, besides his father, are his widow, the former Helen Margaret Kostenbader; a son, Russell K. Laros Jr. at home; four daughters, Mrs. Talbot Shelton, of Bethlehem, Mrs. Robert H. Young, of Ardmore; Mrs. Jackson Mitchell, of Lansdale and Mrs. W.R. Shimer, of Collegeville; two brothers, Walter C. of Palmer Township, and James A. of Wilson, and 16 grandchildren.
Services will be private. A memorial service will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Rosemont Lutheran Church, Bethlehem. |
