Obituary: Richard B. ‘Rick’ Lauber, March 6, 1928 – Sept. 6, 2025

Richard B. “Rick” Lauber, 97, of Juneau, Alaska, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Rick dedicated his life to public service and the maritime industries that define Alaska.

Richard B. “Rick” Lauber

Born in Holtville, California, Rick served his country with honor in the U.S. Navy from 1945-46, earning an honorable discharge from the USS Hornet (CV 12). He pursued his education at Southwestern University, graduating with a law degree in 1957.

Rick’s connection to Alaska began in 1950 when he worked as a radio announcer/engineer at station KTKN in Ketchikan. After completing his education in California, he returned to Alaska in the 1950s to build a distinguished career in public service.

His judicial career began in 1959 when he was appointed as an Alaska District Court Judge, serving until 1967. Rick then accepted an appointment as Director of the Alaska Youth and Adult Authority and later served as chairman of the Alaska Board of Parole, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Health and Welfare, and as special assistant to the Governor. He was instrumental in establishing the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission as its original executive director.

In 1969, Rick transitioned to the private sector, accepting a position as Alaska Manager and Vice President of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, where he served for 29 years until his retirement.

Rick’s expertise in fisheries management led to numerous appointments to boards and commissions. He served on the Advisory Panel of the North Pacific Fishery Commission from 1972 until receiving a presidential appointment from President Reagan in 1985 to serve as commissioner. He was appointed Alaskan Commissioner on the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission in 1993, elected chairman of the Enforcement, Finance and Administration Committee from 1993-95.

His international work included participating in negotiations of the original Governing International Fisheries Agreements with Japan, Canada, and South Korea, and he was a founding member of lengthy negotiations that resulted in regulating salmon interceptions of the Japanese land-based Gillnet fleet. Rick also participated in groundbreaking negotiations with the USSR in Moscow in 1988, which grew into the U.S./Russia Intergovernmental Consultative Committee.

Throughout his career, Rick served on numerous task forces and advisory councils, including the North Pacific Fishery Management Council from 1976-2000, where he was elected chairman in March 1991 and served nine terms. He was a member of the University of Alaska School of Fisheries and Ocean Science Advisory Council from 1991-2000.

Rick was recognized for his outstanding service with several awards, including being named Outstanding Juvenile Court Judge in the U.S. by the National Council of Juvenile Court Judges in 1965, receiving the Outstanding Service Award from Fishermen of Bristol Bay in 1991, the Person of the Year Award from the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission in 2000, and the Distinguished Service Medal from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2000.

He maintained active memberships in Sigma Lambda Sigma legal fraternity, BPO Elks 1429 Ketchikan, American Legion, Washington Athletic Club, and Pioneers of Alaska, and served on the board of directors of the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Community Development Association.

Above all, Rick was a devoted family man. He was preceded in death by his late wife, Mignon Diane Lauber. He is survived by his devoted wife, Darlonna (Darby Childs) Lauber, children, Rex and Leslie. Stepchildren, James Krolick, Jamie Hughes, and Kady Scherffius (Jim); grandchildren, Jessica (Numi), Hilary (Ryan), Kaleb (Kacey), Isaac (Erin), Scarlett and Maxwell; and eight great-grandchildren Braeden, Dimitri, Eugene, Amelia, Sophie, Lucy, Atticus, and Oliver who will forever cherish his memory and legacy of service to Alaska and its people.

Rick’s life exemplified dedication to public service, from his early days as a Navy serviceman to his decades of work protecting Alaska’s fisheries. His contributions to fisheries management and international maritime policy helped shape Alaska’s economic future and preserve its natural resources for generations to come.

Rick was additionally an accomplished, self-taught sailor and piloted his sailboat, The Yellow Fever through the waters of Southeast Alaska. He shared his love for sailing, marine knot-tying and nautical navigation with his children and grandchildren. His advice, resonant words, and constant presence will be dearly missed.