Craig Douglas Leister

Craig Douglas Leister of Upper Arlington, Ohio, passed away at home on August 31, 2025 at the age of 75, after a three-year battle with Merkel cell carcinoma. His legacy of loyalty, generosity, humor, and quiet strength will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Born on December 25, 1949, in Alliance, Ohio, Craig was a proud graduate of Alliance High School. He went on to graduate from Bowling Green State University and Duke University Law School. He dedicated his career to the practice of law. He first served as an attorney for the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps and later practiced law with Means, Bichimer, Burkholder, and Baker where he built lifelong friendships and earned deep respect until his retirement in 2015. Through the course of his career he was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, a distinction that reflected both his skill and dedication to the legal profession and his clients.

Craig was devoted to his family. He was married to his wife, Susan Elliott Leister, for more than 50 years. They found joy in exploring the world together. He relished in the simple pleasures that defined him: spending time on the family farm, indulging in his many collections, sharing his knowledge of sports history, casting a fishing line, and golfing with friends. As an avid sports fan, Craig never missed a chance to cheer on his teams - a trait he happily passed along to his three children. He was particularly proud to have “shot his age” on the golf course, which is a special accomplishment few are skilled enough to achieve.

Craig and Susan enjoyed splitting their time between Upper Arlington, Ohio and Spring Island, South Carolina, where they became trained and certified as Master Naturalists. A proud outdoorsman, he was passionate about many conservation projects in all of the places that he called home.

Above all, his happiest moments were those spent surrounded by his family. Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Sanford and Elvira "Sis" Eberhard Leister. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Jack Sanford Leister, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his children, Charles E. Leister (Jessica), Katharine L. Skuldt (Jon), and William E. Leister (Hannah); his seven grandchildren, Madison, Mackenzie, Eleanor, Penelope, Jackson, Elliott, and Cassidy; his sister-in-law, B.J. Sheffield Leister; and his several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A private service for the immediate family will be held at a later date to celebrate Craig’s life. In lieu of flowers and in recognition of his years of leadership and involvement in the Spring Island Trust, the family requests that donations be made in his name at the following link:

https://www.springislandtrust.org/sit19/about-us/how-to-give