The Laub Family Endowment

Honoring Donald D. and Dr. Ronald L. Laub

Twin brothers Donald D. and Dr. Ronald L. Laub were born on July 22, 1933 in Fresno. They were second generation “Germans from Russia’ whose ancestors settled in Fresno County in the early 1900s. They lost their father at the age of nine and with their mother Anna, farmed the family’s Biola, California ranch.

Using the structure of a strong vocational agriculture program at Central Union High School, the brothers set high goals and became co-owners of a ranch of their own, along with a small beef breeding business by the time they graduated high school in 1951. They found wonderful mentors to guide them through track, Boy Scouts and FFA along the way. Each brother took a different career path after high school and both were highly respected leaders in their chosen fields and communities.

Don continued to farm, eventually building the family farms, Laub Ranches, Inc. and J & L Vineyards in Easton, into diversified high-quality grape operations in the Easton area. Don became known for producing premium table grapes, raisins and wine grapes and became one of the first to embrace and actively use integrated pest management. He was an innovator of trellis design for table grapes. Before his untimely death on October 20, 2009 he was able to see the third and fourth generation involved in the family business.

Ron’s path led him to Fresno State where he earned his degree in animal husbandry in 1957. He next attended Washington State University where he completed his Master of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees in 1963. Dr. Laub turned down a teaching position at Washington State and instead headed north from Fresno on Highway 99 stopping at small towns and calling on veterinarians to see if they needed help. He secured a job in Lodi and in two years bought Lockeford Veterinary Clinic. He relocated the practice until finally building Mokelumne River Veterinary Services in the late 1970s, also in the Lockefod area. For more than 50 years he was the go to veterinary in the community specializing in large animals.

The brothers supported their greater communities with their time and talent. Don served on numerous boards and committees throughout his life including the Ag One Foundation, regional, state and national Farm Bureaus, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Fresno County Civil Service Commission, Fresno County Affordable Housing Task Force to name a few.

Ron’s clients and their animals were his top priority. Throughout the years, he mentored many young people,; a few of them went on to become veterinarians. He was affiliated with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine as as associate professor and taught an animal science class at Delta College in Stockton. He was a past president of the Northern San Joaquin Veterinary Medical Association. He also served on the board for Guild Wine. Both brothers served their country. Don in the US Army Reserves and Ron in the US Army.