To NYSID Alumni:
 
I regret to inform you that my father, Henry L. Lauer (Hank) retired Chief Examiner, Property and Casualty Insurance Bureau, 
New York State Insurance Department passed away at his home in Long Beach, NY on May 1, 2011 from cardiac arrest as he 
was ready to go to sleep. He didn't suffer. It was a shock to all. He lived his last day as any other ordinary day. He was a happy man. 
He had just celebrated his 82nd Birthday on April 28. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy A. Lauer (Dottie) for 55 years. Loving father
 to the late Deborah A. Lauer-Cotagna, Cynthia J. Lauer-Gannon and myself, Carolyn. L. Lauer. Cherished father-in-law of James (Buddy) 
Gannon and dearest grandfather of the twins, Brooke A. Gannon and James P. Gannon Jr.


My Dad joined the Insurance Department in April 1957 as a Junior Insurance Examiner and thereafter served successively in the Audit, 
Welfare Fund, Rating, and Property and Casualty bureaus. Through successive promotions, he was appointed Chief Insurance Examiner of 
the Property and Casualty Bureau in July 1981.  After 38 years of dedicated public service, he retired April 1995. He was proud to work for 
the New York State Insurance Department. He has been described as 'an individual of great talent, dedication and integrity. A man who was 
always there during difficult times with great expertise and a smile.' He was so honored when a board room was named after him following
 his retirement. He enjoyed all the  conventions, parties and the annual picnics, in which I  also have enjoyed over the years.  

He was a graduate of Pace University receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in accounting and economics. A veteran of
 the United States Army, he served in Korea with the Finance Corp. and later continued graduate courses at City College of New York and 
obtained a broker's license.   

After retirement from the State, my Dad continued to keep busy with accounting work, consulting, and home improvement projects. He took
 good care of his family, friends and neighbors. He was a good man and a good Christian. He had continued interest in news, politics, stock 
market and the Mets. He was also a Mason. He enjoyed living in Long Beach and walks on the boardwalk, concerts and, of course, dining out.

My Dad was a very determined man and never gave up. He didn't let his stroke/heart attack in 2006 bring him down. He rebuilt himself. He 
proved the doctors wrong. He learned to walk, talk and became a lefty (including writing with his left hand). He adapted to a new life style and
 remained pleasant. He was a survivor of prostate cancer (16 years) and a prior angina heart attack. As I previously said, he lived his last day
 as any other ordinary normal day, eating all his favorite foods. It was a blessing he didn't suffer. He is loved and will be greatly missed.


Very truly yours,
Carolyn L. Lauer