Obituary: Leach, Robert Wells
Born in Pullman, WA, to teachers Noble and Annabel Leach, the family moved north to Spokane when Bob was just two years old.
He attended North Central High School, and upon graduation returned to Pullman to attend Washington State University, where he studied civil engineering.
Drafted into the Navy in 1945, he served just under a year before WWII ended.
In March of 1949, he married Noreen Lawrence and subsequently served our country first in the Army National Guard, then as a captain in the U.S. Army.
In 1959, he and Noreen adopted a son, Kevin, and in 1961, a daughter, Leslie.
After military service and college, Bob worked as an engineer for Spokane and Adams counties before moving his family to Port Angeles where he accepted the position of Director of Public Works for Clallam County in 1970.
Bob worked diligently in that capacity until his retirement in 1982.
He loved music and service to others, and joined the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and the Shriners, where he often played the clarinet in the El Katif Shrine band in Spokane.
Bob was also known to awaken his children early Saturday mornings with either the WSU Fight Song or “When the Saints Come Marching In” on the clarinet!
In 1977, he married Joan Angiuli Thompson, and they later retired to Sequim and built their dream home in Sunland.
In retirement Bob and Joan enjoyed many of the winter months on the island of Maui.
Bob was a true gentleman with a great sense of humor, always finding time for others and looking for ways to brighten someone’s day.
We will remember him most for the devotion he had caring for his wife Joan, who after a prolonged illness preceded him in death in 2013.
Bob is survived by son Kevin Leach, daughter Leslie (Larry) Barstow, step-daughters Rindy (Tom) Hainstock, Jeri (Shawn) Hankins, and Leslie (Kjel) Kiilsgaard, nephew Edward (Gail) DuBois, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by wife Joan, sister Peggy, and his parents.
A private celebration of his life will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions should be directed to the Shriner’s Hospital of Spokane, 911 W. 5th Avenue, Spokane, WA 90204, phone (509) 455-7844 or (888) 895-5951.