He was an extraordinarily respected figure in Delaware’s public life. He served two terms in the House of Representatives, ultimately as majority leader. He was elected attorney general in 1970 and later became US Attorney for Delaware. If a heart issue had not intervened, there seems little doubt that Laird eventually would have been asked to consider a bid for governor.
The day after Laird’s death, federal and state flags were lowered and the lead editorial in the Wilmington News Journal had this to say: “For those who know Laird Stabler, it was almost an uncomfortable feeling calling him a politician. He certainly was that, and loved every moment of his 20 years as a Republican national committeeman, attorney general, and state legislator. But above all, Mr. Stabler was a truly gracious and decent gentleman who had an equalizing sense of humor. If that doesn’t really sound like the politicians most of us know today, it’s because Laird Stabler wasn’t like any of them.”
Accolades notwithstanding, Laird’s first love was his family: Peggy, his devoted wife of 55 years; their three children; 10 grandchildren; and his three sisters. Our sympathies go to them all.
The paper was right. We have lost a true gentleman.