Philip Laughlin – 50th Reunion Essay

Philip Laughlin

135 Benvenue St

Wellesley, MA 02482

phillaughlin@verizon.net

781-718-1708

Spouse(s): Dottie Laughlin (1980)

Child(ren): Tim (1985); Rob (1987); Will (1989)

Education: Yale BA 1969; Harvard Business School 1976

National Service: Lt, US Navy 1970-74

Career: Baxter International 19 yrs; Medtronic 4 yrs; Boston biotech 2 yrs; investment business 12 yrs

Avocations: Study of Abrahamic religions; Boston sports/Patriots; Town government, Wellesley MA

College: Morse

My post-Yale life was traditional: Business, family, plus a few quirks to make it interesting… and this is exactly what I wanted. As we left Yale, several of us fantasized about: “Hey, let’s all go and live in a commune.” That lasted just a few weeks. I finally married the only woman I ever loved, and our 38 years together have been great, although I wear a bit thin on her sometimes. We lived all over the country and the world together: (for me) Newport Rhode Island, Philippines/Vietnam region, Boston; (then, for the two of us) Chicago; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Sydney, Australia; Chicago; Minnesota; Boston. I enjoyed every one of those places. Looking back, what do I feel good about? Creating a work environment for my organizations which was positive, stimulating, supportive, honest, respectful and apolitical. I virtually never lost anyone who reported to me. We also enjoyed the fight against our competitors and the celebrations when we were successful. I felt I contributed to the quality of many people’s lives, for the eight-plus hours a day that they spent at work. For nonbusiness—I feel good that my wife and I created a supportive, loving, stable family for our three sons. Of course, everything wasn’t always as we wanted. I have noticed that life is a series of up and down cycles, and we certainly went through some down cycles. But all of us are in a good cycle now. We are enjoying it while it lasts. Our three sons enjoy and support each other, as different as they all are, and I take comfort that after my wife and I are gone, they will have each other for support through tough times. Speaking of down cycles, my youngest son’s criminal drug arrest exposed me to a whole new world and perspective. It made me a better person: less judgmental, more compassionate about people in trouble. My penalty to my son during the three weeks he was suspended from his high school: take a long walk with me every day and just talk, not about his arrest, but about just anything. It created a special bond which we still feel today, or so I like to think. I have developed a hobby studying the three Abrahamic religions. The stimulus: oldest son majored in religious studies, concentrated in Islam and lived in the Islamic (supposedly secular) country of Turkey for three years, plus my recent business partner of 12 years, an Israeli Jew living in Tel Aviv, plus my own Christian background. It’s a fascinating, all-consuming passion. How do I feel about Yale? I don’t remember it as fun. But I’m glad I went. That was a half century ago, and I left it somewhere back there. I really enjoy reconnecting with my Yale friends. When we get together, which is unfortunately rare, it’s as though we never left, and we pick up right where we left off—and will hopefully do so at the reunion.