Richard Louis “Dick” Laiben, 89, of Crystal City died March 28, 2024, at the de Greeff Hospice House in St. Louis County. Mr. Laiben was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crystal City, a U. S. Navy veteran and a member of the Knights of Columbus 1230 and Elks 1721. He also was in the National Realtors Association and member and the first president of the Missouri Realtors Association. He is known for his career in residential and commercial real estate sales and development, as well as his career in business brokerage during the later years of his life. He built many homes and developed several subdivisions in Jefferson County and the surrounding areas. He also owned many businesses including Furniture Town in Crystal City, Pevely Flea Market, Boland Feed and Seed in Washington and many others. His biggest accomplishment was his acquisition of a tourist attraction in the U.S. Virgin Islands, “The Mountain Top,” where he and his wife lived for the better part of 11 years, enjoying the ‘island life’ and entertaining friends and family who came to visit. Music played a large role in his life. He enjoyed playing saxophone in his band, The Flamingo’s, and in the U.S. Navy big band in the 50’s. He also spent a lot of time listening to reggae, jazz, bluegrass and country music. He was a tennis player, a runner, an avid Cardinal baseball fan, a world traveler, an RV adventurer, a carpenter, fisherman and boat captain. He will be remembered for his love of learning, his storytelling and for treating everyone like an old friend. Born Oct. 20, 1934, in Crystal City, he was the son of the late Naomi Althea (Walz) and John Fred Laiben.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years: Doris (Dunker) Laiben; four daughters: Lynne (Charlie) Parker of Santa Rosa, Calif., Laura Laiben of Kansas City, Jan (Rusty) Taylor of Atlanta, Ga., and Jennifer (Danny) Dace of Cuba; three grandchildren: Casey (Mario) Ausiello, Delaney (Kirsten) O’Rourke and Devin O’Rourke; three great-grandchildren: Audrey Ausiello, Leonardo Ausiello and Callahan O’Rourke; and two brothers: J. Frank (the late Betty) Laiben of Festus and Tom (Jan) Laiben of Milton, Fla.
He was preceded in death by a sister: Patricia (Robert survives of Festus) Patterson.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, April 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 555 Bailey Road, in Crystal City. Private burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery will occur on a later date. Memorials may be made to the de Greeff Hospice House or for Masses at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.