The Natural Refrigeration

Mike Laucks, remembered by many of his colleagues and friends in the ammonia refrigeration industry for his quick wit and welcoming spirit, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026. Laucks retired as vice president of engineering at GEA Refrigeration in 2006, where he spent his career in industrial refrigeration.

Mike was the former Chairman of IIAR and focused on developing many of IIAR’s standards. He also worked closely with code development to advance natural refrigerants at a time when that effort was just beginning for IIAR.

“I remember Mike as being extremely smart. He did extensive work on oil viscosity and oil management. He was known as an expert in that area. He was always able to find the right oil for the right refrigerants,” said John Bowman, Director Application Engineering – Skids for GEA. “Mike was always working directly on code and updates; he spent a lot of time on standards for our industry. I started at FES in 1990. Mike was head of engineering at the time before he retired, and I worked in his department my entire career,” said Bowman. “He was a very respected individual. When Mike spoke, we listened.”

Bowman remembered Laucks as someone who was eager to mentor others and to set the direction and provide guidance for his company as well as IIAR. IIAR president Gary Schrift said Mike will be remembered as a leader who had a formative role in the development of IIAR.

“It’s always hard to lose one of IIAR’s early leaders. It’s because of them that our organization has grown into what it is today.”

According to a family remembrance, Foster Michael Laucks was born in York on September 27, 1939, to Foster Martin Laucks and Carrie Miller Laucks. He is survived by his devoted wife and best friend of 63 years, Nora, and their daughter, Elizabeth Laucks of Baltimore, MD.

Mike graduated from Red Lion High School in 1957, then earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University (where he was a member of Chi Phi) in 1961 and a master’s degree in business administration from Temple University in 1970.

He dedicated his career to serving as an engineer and executive with several companies in the industrial refrigeration industry. He began his career at York International and continued as vice president of engineering at Frick Co. in Waynesboro, PA.

Mike cherished his family above all and was known as a generous, loving husband and father. He was deeply respected and admired by colleagues and friends alike. Though his dedication to work was well known, Mike’s passions extended far beyond his profession. He traveled internationally with his wife, biked the York County Heritage Trail, embarked on home improvement projects, enjoyed listening to big band and jazz music, and was an avid reader.

He relished weekends at his hunting cabin with childhood friends, cherished time with family at their Ocean City, Maryland, summer home, and spent the winter months in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife following his retirement.