Herbert Watkins Laine

Herbert Watkins Laine, 78, of River Forest, IL passed away on March 2, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Laine, his two daughters, Elizabeth (Seth) Parker of Carmel, CA, and Katherine (Daniel) Figatner, of Oak Park, IL, and four grandchildren, William and Sara Parker, and Desmond and Elliott Figatner. Herbert was born and raised in Windsor, VA. After graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 1968, Herbert received a law degree from the University of Virginia and served as a captain in the Marine Corps. He then practiced law for over four decades in Chesapeake, VA, where he led the Chesapeake Bar Association. He and Betty moved from Virginia to the Chicago area in 2022 to be closer to their grandkids in their later years. Herbert passed his love of seafood onto his daughters, teaching them and the grandkids the perfect way to pick a steamed crab or shoot a raw oyster (best enjoyed after a day of boogie boarding and playing at the beach in Nags Head). In his free time, he loved searching for the perfect smooth pen to write with, reading about Mt. Everest, catching up with his “Brother Rats” from VMI, and ordering the most out-there item on any restaurant menu. His family will be taking his ashes to one of his favorite places, the Outer Banks of North Carolina. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.