William “Bill” Morris Laubach and Peter Mark Nemkov
Honoring the Lives and Work of Recently Deceased CBA Members
January/February 2023
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William “Bill” Morris Laubach
January 1, 1938–November 10, 2022
William “Bill” Morris Laubach passed away on November 10, 2022. Bill was a member of the Texas state bar for more than 50 years and also practiced law in Florida and Colorado.
Bill completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a BA in 1960. He receiv
ed his law degree from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 1963. He began his career in Texas as an assistant district attorney in Lubbock County, handling felony trials and appeals. He then practiced criminal law appeals as an associate in the law firm of Woody & Rosen in Houston. In 1967, he opened up his own law office in Houston, where he practiced criminal and family law and shared office space with Bob Richter Jr. and Sen. Bob Gammage.
Bill married Gail C. Upshaw at Galveston Island, Texas, on August 8, 1975, and the couple raised their children while living in La Porte, Texas. In 1993, the couple moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where Bill served as executive director and in-house counsel for the PBA-Pinellas County Police Benevolent Society. There, he served approximately 1,300 law enforcement personnel, negotiated collective bargaining agreements, and represented PBA in hundreds of internal affairs investigations and arbitrations. He also was a lecturer at Stetson University College of Law and a presenter and debater at PERA meetings throughout Florida.
In 2005, the couple moved to Marble Falls, in the Texas Hill Country. There, Bill handled wills and probate matters for the residents of Horseshoe Bay, Marble Falls, and Lago Vista—house calls only. In 2014, the couple moved to Colorado Springs, where Bill practiced probate law from his home office until 2022, when he learned he had a rare case of bladder cancer that had spread to his liver.
Bill is remembered for his love of books (from law publications to John Le Carré novels), sending blast emails, being a political curmudgeon, his involvement with the Native American culture of the Lakotas, and his philosophy for living in harmony (“we are all related”). But above all, he is remembered for his love of his family. Bill loved spending time with his family, children, and grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife of 47 years Gail C. Laubach, daughter Anna Catherine Laubach, son Will J. Laubach, stepchildren Christopher and James Upshaw, brothers Dr. Bruce and James (Jim) Laubach, and sister Julianna Laubach Smith, as well as two grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.
Peter Mark Nemkov
June 24, 1945–October 15, 2022
Peter Mark Nemkov, whose wit was as sharp as his jokes were corny, peacefully passed away on October 15, 2022. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Peter’s greatest love was his family. He was renowned for his Sunday morning breakfasts, where he would make omelets to the sounds of The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and Fleetwood Mac on Saturdays, or Tchaikovsky and Beethoven on Sundays. He was the number one fan of his three sons, to the point that they would have to leave the room as he embellished their accolades.
Peter grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in history. He kept the Michigan Wolverines fight song as his cell phone ringtone at maximum volume, and at times would intentionally let it play before answering. Peter taught school in Chicago before graduating from the George Washington Law School. He began his legal career as a lawyer on Capitol Hill, where he met his wife Naiomi. With the outdoors calling, they made a minor life change by moving to a house on Floyd Hill in Evergreen, Colorado.
After working for a few firms, Peter eventually hung his own shingle. Peter and Naiomi moved to Columbine Valley and began the journey of raising three boys born a few years apart. In time, he grew a transactional and regulatory practice, becoming a trusted advisor and corporate attorney. He was instrumental in the creation of the Colorado Association of Business Intermediaries and put together a template asset purchase agreement used by brokers many times over.
Peter will be remembered for his acumen, warmth, and love for helping others. He was the calm presence in a stressful room, steadfast in helping others solve their problems. He worked with many of his clients for decades, who became lifelong friends. Peter would proudly point out his clients’ businesses on any trip through the Denver area. Many of his clients were restaurateurs, and most family celebrations were enjoyed at his client’s establishments. Peter took pride in his work. He extolled to his sons the importance of always doing what is right and what is just. He embodied that in his career.
Peter actively participated in civic society, which ranged from his attendance at Vietnam War protests to joining oversight committees for the Littleton Public School District. He had an immense knowledge of world history, which depending on the context could enthrall a group conversation or put a family dinner to sleep. Peter would never shy away from an interesting conversation, which would usually turn into a debate. Ultimately, Peter was caring, thoughtful, and kind to those around him.
He is fondly remembered for his dad jokes and his sense of justice. He is survived by his wife Naiomi, sons Travis (Cricket), Tyler (Sara), and Tanner, and grandchildren Hazel, Bodhi, and Louis, with a granddaughter on the way.
| In Memoriam honors the lives and careers of recently deceased CBA members. Please send notices and high-resolution photos to Susie Klein at sklein@cobar.org. This is a complimentary service. |
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