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Laundrie, Robert W. and Jane E. Endowed Scholarship

The Robert W. and Jane E. Laundrie Endowed Scholarship was created in 2010 with a gift from Roberta J. Verderico and her husband, Patrick Verderico in honor of Roberta’s parents, Robert W. and Jane E. Laundrie.

Robert W. Laundrie was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1918. He graduated in 1942 from The University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. In 1964, Robert earned a law degree from the University’s school of law, followed by an M.S. in Taxes in 1988. He worked for Trojan Powder Company in Sandusky, Ohio for two years, prior to serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII. For 10 years, Mr. Laundrie was the chief process engineer in plastics and polymers research at The University of Akron. He also worked for 29 years at the General Tire & Rubber Company as a process engineer, plant manager, manager of manufacturing, and before retiring in 1984, he was the manager of ecology, safety and health engineering. Mr. Laundrie belonged to many professional societies such as: the American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Akron, Ohio, and American Bar Associations, and the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber. He was very active in his retirement years as a long-term care ombudsman and volunteer in area nursing homes, especially the Village of St. Edward.

Jane E. Laundrie (nee Voigt) was born in 1919 in Sandusky, Ohio. She and Robert were married in 1942. After Robert’s service in WWII, the family moved to Akron. Mrs. Laundrie’s avocation of volunteerism began when she became room mother for her daughter’s kindergarten class and continued until her retirement. Jane was an inspiration to others through her passion for volunteerism. Some of the organizations in which she participated included Friends of Children’s Hospital, Akron Woman’s City Club, Akron Civic Theatre Guild, Edwin Shaw Auxiliary, Women’s Board to Juvenile Court, volunteer receptionist at Juvenile Court, Society of the Blind Center, Akron Bar Association Auxiliary, Akron Symphony Guild, Ohio State Parent’s Association, Firestone Park Y-Mothers, presiding judge for elections, life member of the PTA, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, and style show commentator and hobby auctioneer extraordinaire. She prided herself on being a very organized, scheduled person and able to juggle all of her volunteer jobs.

Robert and Jane’s daughter, Roberta J. Verderico attended Akron’s Garfield High School and earned her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in 1966 and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Santa Clara University in 1998. Roberta’s career has included teaching and middle-school counseling. Currently, she is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Morgan Hill, California. Roberta’s husband, Patrick, also is an Akron native. Patrick, now retired, attended The University of Akron and graduated in 1965 with a B.A. in Political Science. He also earned an M.P.A. from Pennsylvania State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He spent his career in the high tech industry in Silicon Valley. Roberta and Patrick have two adult children, Gail and Kent. They became proud grandparents with the birth of their first grandson, Gavin Kent, during the summer of 2009. Education and public service are very important to their family.

The Robert W. and Jane E. Laundrie Endowed Scholarship was established to provide support to full-time students at The University of Akron who are pursuing a degree in law, chemistry, polymer science, business, engineering, or counseling. Recipients must demonstrate outstanding personal characteristics, such as a strong work ethic, integrity and an ability to lead by example through community service. Consideration should be given to recipients working while pursuing their degree and they are especially encouraged to apply. Recipients must present financial need and are eligible for renewal with a GPA of 2.75 or higher. Recipients will be nominated by the Office of Student Financial Aid.