1919
2017
Robert H. (Bob) Leach Sr., 98, longtime resident of Evansville, IN died peacefully on August 1, 2017, in North
Carolina, his birthplace and home in his final years.
Bob was born April 17,1919 and grew up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. After graduating from High School in 1936, he worked in retail sales in Wilson NC until 1942, when he entered the US Army during World War II. He was stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, where he met his future wife, Frances Barnett , on a visit to Evansville. Assigned to Second Battalion, 389th Infantry, 98th Division, he served as a Staff Sergeant in the Pacific Theatre of Operations in the Hawaiian Islands and Osaka Japan during the Army's occupation in September 1945. When the war ended, Bob wed Frances in 1946. They were married for 60 years until her death in 2006. He joined Eastern Airlines the same year and became the Tri-State Sales Manager until 1962. When offered a transfer in 1962 to Eastern's Washington DC offices, Bob and Frances decided that their roots in Evansville ran too deep for them to leave. For the next twenty years, Bob was employed by National City Bank in their downtown Evansville Office where he became Vice President of Marketing. Bob Leach was a strong believer in giving back to the community some of the benefits and successes he had enjoyed. Throughout his career in Evansville, Bob served actively as an officer or board member of many community organizations including; Chairman of the Aviation Committee of Evansville Chamber of Commerce, Public Relations Chairman of United Way, President of Downtown Kiwanis Club of Evansville, Vice President of Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Chairman of the Vanderburgh County Heart Association, President of Goodwill Industries, Vice Chairman of American Red Cross, President of Evansville Press Club,
and President of Advertising Club of Evansville, Before his retirement in 1983, he also served as a member of
Evansville Clearing House Association, Indiana Bankers Association, Independent Bankers Association of Indiana, as well as many fund-raising activities for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, and Evansville Boy's Club. He was a life member of the VFW, and a member of the Evansville Country Club and Evansville Kennel Club. What most will remember about Bob Leach was his booming voice and inspirational singing. For many years, Bob sang in choirs at Olivet Presbyterian Church and Old North Methodist Church. His love of music was his passion and his pastime. He was a collector of hundreds of recordings of Big Band Era music and listened to them until his death.
Bob is survived by; his son, Robert II, and his wife, Jane, of Southport, NC, Sister, Elizabeth Hardison, and her husband, David, of Falls Church, VA, Daughter in-Law, Deborah Leach, of Evansville, and Grandsons; Graham Leach of Culver City , CA, Adam Leach of Cary, NC, Colin Leach, of El Paso, TX, and Andrew Leach of Evansville, IN. He also had two Great-Grandchildren, Vivian and Julian Leach. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances, his son, Richard, and his brother, Roy.
A Memorial Service will be held in Evansville at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401or online at www.lcfhfoundation.org
Online condolences are encouraged and may be offered at www.whitefuneralservicesupply.com
White Funeral & Cremation Service, Bolivia/Supply Chapel
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by White Funeral and Cremation Service Supply Chapel.
October 14, 2017
Charlie Summers
My name is Charlie Summers, I never met Bob but I served in the Air Force with his son Rick in the 70s. I think about Debbie and Rick all the time we were good friends. I am sorry to hear about his father. After Rick passed I Iost track of Debbie, his beautiful wife, I am in Kirksville Missouri on the radio at station KRXL still. I was here the last time I talked to Bob"s son Rick, who was very weak then. May they both RIP
August 5, 2017
Judie (Horstketter) McCool
Bob always put a smile on my face and had kind words for all our family. He would stop in occasionally at family place of business after work or on Saturdays. Bob is the true definition of a "gentleman". He was loved by so many.
August 4, 2017
Carin Coley Zachritz
Bob, I know you have many happy memories of your Father, Mother and Rick. I pray they get you through this sad time. Just know they are setting a place for you at God's Holy Table. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God Bless!
Your friend Carin Coley from Harwood Elementary
August 4, 2017
KEISTON HOLLOWAY
ON BEHALF OF THE COMRADES AND SISTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA YOU HAVE OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE AND OUR DEPARTED COMRADE.OUR PRAYER ARE WITH YOU ALL.SINCERLY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA STATE CHAPLAIN KEISTON R.HOLLOWAY
August 4, 2017
Dwight Nestrick
RIP Bob. You had a long and happy life. More than a banker, I remember Bob as a gentleman, doer and Christian man. Bob's family has my sympathy. I pray you find comfort in the many wonderful memories of life together. Bob would like that. What an infectious smile he had.
August 4, 2017
Steve Boston
The tears you shed are tears of joy; the joy of loving and of being loved.
Bob, we celebrate your father's life and mourn with you his passing. May you find comfort and strength in precious memories that will keep him with you and in you forever.
Steve Boston
Harwood Elementary classmate
August 1, 2017
American Heart Association
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
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