Norman “Pete” Leibold, 76, of Schaefferstown, PA, was joyfully received by his Savior in Heaven on July 19, 2025. Born on January 9, 1949, to Norman and June Leibold (Wingenroth), Pete was the husband of Bonnie (Glovan) with whom he celebrated 55 years of marriage on May 16th.
He was predeceased by his parents, his grandfather, Wiley Warner, who was the wonderful man who raised Pete, siblings Eric Wingenroth, Steve Wingenroth, and Linda Wingenroth, and brother-in-law James Reilly.
Pete is lovingly remembered by his children, Todd of Lyles, TN, Cody of Schaefferstown, PA, and Caiti-Ty of Lebanon, PA; grandchildren, Justice, Addyson, and Ryder; brothers Ivan “Buck” Wingenroth and Mark Wingenroth, both of Lancaster, PA; sister-in-law Patricia Reilly of Lebanon, PA; and several nieces and nephews.
Pete attended Cedar Crest High School, class of 1967. The day he was drafted, he took three different girls out on dates (but he always said he picked the right one to become his wife). While his desire was to serve with his buddies in Vietnam, he was sent home after three days, so he said “I’ll go home and ride bulls”, which he did.
Pete was the epitome of a true cowboy - hardworking, dedicated, kind to everyone he met, and most of all had a love for the sport of rodeo. He spent years as a bull rider, steer wrestler, team roper, and pick-up man, winning numerous buckles, but the highest accolade was being voted Pick-Up Man of the Year 19 times by his fellow cowboys, a record which still stands today. Pete served as a leader of the 4-H Horse and Pony Club of Schaefferstown, and at the age of 16 he began his rodeo career with memberships in the Del-Mar-Va Rodeo Association (which later became the American Rodeo Association and then the American Professional Rodeo Association), the International Professional Rodeo Association, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. For 15 years, Pete served as board member and event director for Central PA Youth Rodeo Association. This career in rodeo lasted 45 years, competing on and travelling the rodeo trail alongside his wife who he met in 4-H. The love and passion for rodeo grew with their growing family as all 3 children joined Pete and Bonnie by becoming two successful cowboys and one cowgirl in their own rights - following in Dad's footsteps. Throughout all of these times, Pete and his family were directly involved in every event, as well as producing and promoting rodeos with Pete’s childhood friend, Bobby Paul Waltemyer.
Rodeo is a tough man's playground, and as one would expect, it took a major toll on Pete’s body, which little by little sidelined him from active competition. But he didn’t leave the sport! Pete, a proud father, remained involved through his children's careers and activities, sharing his experience and knowledge with so many young people and all who asked for help.
Pete, affectionately known as "Bubba" to those who knew him as a friend, started and ran his own business, Pete Leibold Excavating, from 1985 through 2002, dubbing his first piece of equipment "Bubba's Backhoe". After that time, he then went to work for Ebersole Excavating, Inc., of Elizabethtown, PA, as a heavy equipment operator and then dump truck operator. In his ‘spare time’, Pete also served as a farrier, shoeing horses for 18 years. Pete faithfully served his community as an active volunteer firefighter with Schaefferstown Volunteer Fire Company for 35 years, during which time he served as Assistant Fire Chief for 23 years. At Christmastime, he drove horse-drawn wagons at the Elizabeth Tree Farm for 41 seasons, a tradition two of his children carried on for many of those years. Pete was a beloved member of the community and his loss will be felt far and wide, especially at the Dutch-Way Farm Market Restaurant where he met with friends on a nearly daily basis. He had friends everywhere - anywhere the family travelled, someone would call out “Hi Pete!” When he crossed into glory, there was surely a great cry of “Hi Pete!” from many who went before him.
Pete was an active and devoted member of Central PA Cowboy Church of the Nazarene, and also attended Church of the Good Shepherd, Lebanon, PA.
“A cowboy's boots leave a trail that's harder than any man can follow.”
Pete wanted his ashes to be spread in the arena at the family’s farm, his favorite place to be, which will be scheduled at the convenience of the family. You are all invited to a time for story-telling and joke-sharing and remembering Our Cowboy, Pete, at the Central PA Cowboy Church of the Nazarene (location: Dream Catcher Ranch 1299 Laudermilch Rd, Palmyra PA) on Sunday July 27, 2025, from noon - 5 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Schaefferstown Volunteer Fire Company.
