Robert D. Leonard was born on June 23, 1932 in Harris, Missouri to Earl T. Leonard and Hazel (Shores) Leonard. He attended the Harris School and was a 1950 graduate of Galt High School. He was an avid sportsman playing baseball and basketball with passion and gusto. It was at the Galt Pool Hall that he gained his love of billiards – sometimes skipping class for a quick game. Upon graduation from high school he moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and began working for the Wilson Meat Company.
In January 1952, Robert received the call to serve in the United States Air Force, helping to protect and serve freedom of nations during the Korean War. Serving in as a cryptographer, he was stationed at Tockawa Air Force Base and then Johnson Air Force Base in Japan. Having received medals for Korean Service, Good Conduct, United Nations Service and the National Defense Service, he left active military duty in 1956 and was honorably discharged on March 17, 1960.
Determined to further his education, Robert began his collegiate studies at the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa, majoring in accounting. Graduating with honors he began his professional career with The IBM Corporation in March of 1960 in Kansas City.
On October 7, 1961, he was united in marriage to Betty Morris in Kansas City at the First Calvary Baptist Church. They had two children - a son, Randall Earl, and a daughter, Rhonda Dee.
His career with IBM moved the family to St. Louis; Jefferson City, MO; Rockville, MD; and back to Kansas City where he retired in 1987 after 29 years of faithful service with Big Blue.
A man of faith in Jesus Christ, character, integrity, and trust were uncompromising cornerstones of his life. He will always be remembered for his honesty, his tireless work ethic, his sense of humor, his humility, and his deep love for his family and friends.
Whether at work, with his family, or serving at church or in our community, Bob valued people – all people. He quietly exhibited the generosity, care, and compassion of his Lord Jesus as he went about his daily life serving others wherever he may have been. Throughout his lifetime he made everlasting friendships. He enjoyed playing pool with friends at the AB after work; and Rosedale’s BBQ was a personal favorite. He loved the great outdoors – especially time spent with his brothers, family, and great friends fishing. This was especially true in his retirement as he would visit the ponds at Leonard Acres in Harris, the Lake of the Ozarks, the clear cold Canadian water ways, or Lake Viking with great fishing buddies - rod and reel in hand and tackle box in tow. He was also an avid sports fan – a lifelong KC Chiefs and Royals fan, and later in life, a New Orleans Saints fan as well.
After the unexpected loss of Betty in 1987, he moved to his cabin at Lake of the Ozarks and began a Fishing Guide business. In the winter months he would work seasonally at the IRS to finance his Canadian Fishing trips in the summer.
Bob met and married (Agnus) Marie Helms on April 4, 1991 and they began traveling in their RV throughout the south, settling in Gulfport, Mississippi near Marie’s extended family in the area. He enjoyed learning crabbing and often could be found at the White Cap Restaurant enjoying oysters on the half shell. He and Marie enjoyed many lifetime friendships while managing an RV Park after Hurricane Katrina until her sudden passing in 2007.
Robert is survived by his son Randall Leonard of Overland Park, KS; daughters Rhonda (Alan) Rhodes of O’Fallon, MO; Sonya Sharp, Saucier, MS; Melody (Gary) Morgan; Fairmont, WV; Patricia Sellers, Starkville, MS. Grandchildren: Robert Tyler (Valerie) Williamson, Laura Williamson, JR Logan, Ashley (Matt) Mayer, Henry Rhodes, Julian Rhodes; Alena Rhodes, Brittney Johnston, Joshua (Erin) Johnston, Emily Sellers; Alec Robert Sellers; Jacob Sharp, Gynifer Sharp; and Garrett Morgan, as well as 8 great-grandchildren and 39 nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at Colonial Presbyterian Church on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 11:00 am with burial in the Utica Cemetery at 3:00 pm. Social distancing will be practiced. For those who are unable to join us in person, a Facebook Livestream link is listed below.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Research (www.stjude.org/donate) or to your favorite charity.
