Richard Leonard Obituary

Leonard, Richard Waldo - (Si) passed away on December 4, 2003. He was born on November 29, 1914 and spent his formative years in Milaca, Minnesota. He attended St. Olaf College for two years and received a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. After two years with the Highway Department, he joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he worked for 32 years. His first position was a five year long assignment in Texas on the Lake Texoma flood control project. In 1945, Richard returned to Minnesota and joined the St. Paul District Office until his transfer in 1963 to the North Pacific Division at Portland, Oregon where he worked on the Columbia River. In 1966, he transferred back to St. Paul to take over as Chief of Staff for the most extensive flood fight ever known on the Upper Mississippi River at that time. For his execution of the massive emergency program, Mr. Leonard received the Department of the Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. Mr. Leonard was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Rabold; and sister, Catherine Nyberg. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Beth. He is also survived by his children, Elizabeth Kerl of Portland, OR, Jane and Tony Carlson of White Bird, Idaho, Georgia Rose of Portland, Maine, and Tom and Debra Leonard of Powder Springs, Georgia. He has 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. A memorial serivce will be held on Tuesday, December 9, at 2PM at the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SOUTH ST. PAUL, 535-20th Ave. N., S. St. Paul. Family and friends will gather following the service. Memorials are preferred for the First Presbyterian Church of South St. Paul or DARTS.