Kenneth Frederick Leonhardt

August 9, 1924 – December 24, 2011.

Ken, 87, a 50 year Covina resident, loving husband and wonderful father, died peacefully of natural causes, with family at his side, in the early morning of December 24, 2011.

Ken, born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, married Nora Patricia McGowan of New York in 1947. In 1948 they moved to Rosemead, California, where he built their first home. He began building their current home in Covina in 1957, and they moved into it, with their two young boys, in 1962. Ken began his career as a professional machinist for Davidson Optronics Inc. in West Covina in 1951, retiring 36 years later in 1987. Ken and Nora were members of St. Louise Church Senior Club in Covina.

Seaman First Class Ken served his country in WWII in the Pacific theater on the carriers USS Wasp, USS Battan, and USS Fanshaw Bay. He was awarded the Victory Medal, Three Stars, and the Purple Heart for his bravery in combat in the battle of Leyte in the Liberation of the Philippines, Asiatic Pacific.

Ken and Nora enjoyed traveling and camping in many states in their motor home, and spent parts of 52 summers boating, hiking, pitching horse shoes, and fishing at Twin Lakes in the High Sierra mountains.

Ken is survived by Nora, his beautiful wife of 65 years, and sons Ken W. (Estrellita) of Hawaii and James K. (Marguerite) of Nevada, and granddaughters Lorita Puanani , Georgette Keanuenueonalani, and Rosella Alohanani.

A memorial service is pending.