Obituary: Tetra Founder, President Bill Lauer

Real Estate developer William “Bill” Lauer — who played an important role in building Reston — died unexpectedly at his Reston home Tuesday.

A native Washingtonian, Lauer founded Tetra Partners in 1978. Prior to that, he was with two homebuilding companies and for Gulf Reston in the 1960s and 70s as Reston developed as a New Town.

Lauer’s job with Gulf Reston was was to get all the new residential and commercial spaces sold and leased. He said in a recent profile for Executive Leaders Radio he was up for the challenge.

“That total immersion taught me everything from property management to country club construction,” he said. “It was a melting pot of opportunity that you can’t get anywhere. When it comes to real estate, there’s no school better than the School of Hard Knocks, and I was enrolled in advanced courses.”

During his long career, Lauer played an active role in industry trade associations and was on the executive committee of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance.

He was also active in many charitable organizations, including the Lions Club, Joe Gibbs Youth for Tomorrow, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Alternative House, Home Aid, Cornerstones and Devotion to Children. Devotion to Children was founded by his wife, Rosemary Tran Lauer, who survives him.

Lauer was a former member of the board of Cornerstones (the called Reston Interfaith). He served on the Affordable Housing Task Force launched by Rep. Gerry Connolly that worked to provide avenues for low-income families to rent and own homes. He also served on the governing board of the county’s Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness.

In 2008, Tetra was honored with a Best of Reston award for its community service.

Lauer said in a mission statement on Tetra’s website he was pleased that his grown children worked at Tetra with him and that he ran a business where everyone was family.

“We run as a family business, and I am blessed not only to have members of my family working with me, but also a workplace where every professional feels part of a larger family,” he said. “This environment fosters open communication where ideas are exchanged freely and allows us to get things done quickly. ”

“While I am proud of the accolades, awards and success we have achieved over the years, I am most grateful for the relationships and friendships that we have forged and maintained. These relationships are the cornerstone of our success; and I can not thank our clients, advisors and families enough for their support.”

Service information is pending.

Photo: Bill Lauder/Credit: Tetra Partners