Richard Manning Laidlaw, 59, died at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 16, 2012.

Born Jan. 7, 1953, in Oakland City, Rick was the youngest of the three children of William C. and Jean M. Laidlaw.  

His father, a civil engineer, died in 1974.  His mother, a teacher, died in 2006. 

Rick was a graduate of Wood Memorial High School and the University of Evansville.  Although he later lived in other parts of the country, he often said that he felt fortunate to have grown up in southern Indiana and to have received his public education in the Oakland City schools.

For several years, Richard and his wife Suzanne owned and operated the Cross Keys Inn Bed and Breakfast in Monument, Colo.  Prior to that, he was a personnel manager with the Digital Equipment Corporation, working at DEC sites in Arizona, New Hampshire, and Colorado.  Following his graduation from U of E, Rick taught for three years at the Linton high school.

Since childhood, Rick was an ardent and meticulous student of the American Civil War, visiting many of its battle sites and points of historic significance.  Through the years, he acquired a remarkable knowledge of the war’s battles, its leaders, soldiers, and the civilians who were often swept into the conflict.  

Forever the educator, Rick relished teaching others about both the well-known and the arcane aspects of the war.  His study led him to a deep respect for Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee.

Richard is survived by his brother, J. Michael Laidlaw and his wife Wendy, of Portland, Maine; his sister, Leslie L. Laidlaw, of Petersburg; nephews Michael E. Laidlaw and his wife Tammy of Newnan, Ga.; and Jon-Christopher D. Laidlaw and his wife Melanie of Evansville; great-nieces Gabrielle, Hayley, Hannah Jean, and Ciara; great-nephews Justin, Jackson, Caden, and Donovan; and cousins Ann Ricker, Margaret Jean Hoxley, Brian Miller, and Kelli Granade.  

Rick’s former wife, Suzanne, also survives him and remained a close friend and involved in his care until his death.   A person of warmth and sensitivity, Rick will be remembered for his “amazing wit,” intelligence, love of animals, and abiding affinity for the study of history.

At his request, there will be no memorial services; however, Rick’s ashes will be scattered at the Gettysburg and Antietam Battlefields later this year.