Career
Born in Berlin, Germany Laskau was a top distance runner in his native Germany before being forced to leave that country in by the Nazis in 1938. He moved to the United States and served in the United States. Army during World World War II before resuming his competitive walking career in 1946. During an 11-year career, he set five national records and during nine years of that period was unbeaten by any American walker.
In 1983, he was named to the United States of America All-Time Track and Field team
He remained active in the sport after retiring from competition, serving as a volunteer official Laskau died at the age of 83 in Coconut Creek, Florida in 2000.