Leonard Eugene Heberlee

Leonard Eugene Heberlee, known to his friends as Hib and colleagues as Gene, passed away on March 17, 2024 at his home in Henderson, Nevada. He was born on a very cold January 17, 1937 day to Doris Rhoads Heberlee Wade and Harry Heberlee in Red Oak, Iowa. He attended school in Red Oak where he excelled not only in academics but also as the football team quarterback and a point guard in basketball – famously hitting full court shots and playing on broken ankles. He went on to attend the University of Iowa where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy and didn’t forget to have fun along the way.

He moved to Las Vegas in 1964 and began his pharmacy career working for various independent pharmacies until becoming the owner of Downtown Drug. It was during his time there that he became a pillar of the Las Vegas community, serving locals and tourists alike for 25 years with the same easy smile. If you caught him on the right day you’d find the famously fastidious Hib on his hands and knees making sure the place was spotless. His employees loved him and often said if he was willing to work that hard no reason they couldn’t too.

Upon retirement from Downtown Drug and the Inspector position from the Board of Pharmacy, Hib never stopped being an athlete and fan of sports. In his later years various gyms across the city were graced with the image of a bright yellow Hawkeye shirt (worn by a man who looked 15 years younger) lifting weights no one thought possible for someone into their eighties. Young people flocked to him in those gyms; starting as fans of his prowess and then quickly turning to friends by his quick wit and classic one liners.

Hib was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Diana Bond and his two sons Brent Heberlee of Bethesda, Maryland, and Brad Heberlee of New York City, New York and two step daughters Megan Bond of International Falls, Minnesota, and Erin Bond of Long Beach, California.

Sincere thanks are extended to the caregivers of Southwest Hospice. They are a group of angels. As a parting word from the man himself – “I’ll see you in the fall, if I see you at all”