Richard C. Leach

Richard C. Leach, a loving husband to Rosemary K. Leach; and devoted father to nine children; and 21 grandchildren. Richard C. Leach passed away on Tuesday, May 29, 2001. A recognized leader in the entertainment and publishing worlds and an inspiration to his family and community. Dick is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rosemary of Plano; and his nine children, daughter Barbara Tudhope of Plano, son James Leach of Connecticut, daughter Mary Ellen Duffield of Plano, daughter Diane Geracie of Parker, son Ed Leach of Plano, daughter Rosemary Waring of Dallas, son Richard Lyons of Plano, son Joe Leach of Wylie, son Tom Leach of Plano; and his 21 beloved grandchildren, Jennifer, Richard, Jim, Michael, Patrick, Joe, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Matthew, Christopher, Kathleen, Johanna, Anastasia, Nadia, Nick, Rosie, Ryan, Sarah, Andrew, Timothy and Daniel. Dick filled the world with love, and in turn, was surrounded by love. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 24, 1927, Dick graduated from Loyola University in 1947. He began his career as a printer/publisher in the family-owned business, Argus Press, in Chicago. He then developed Argus Communications, and then added Developmental Learning Materials (DLM) to his family of companies in 1967. In 1980, he moved his publishing business to Dallas, Texas, where he started Color Dynamics, one of the leading commercial printers in the Southwest. Dick also founded Resources for Christian Living, a Catholic publishing company dedicated to making a difference in people's lives. In 1988, Dick helped develop a series of children's videos starring a gentle purple dinosaur, ultimately resulting in the internationally acclaimed, Emmy Award-Winning television series, ''Barney & Friends''. Leach also produced a second successful PBS television series, ''Wishbone'', which went on to win Emmy and Peabody Awards. Both characters became household names, and both hit TV series are broadcast in countries around the world. In 1996, Dick combined the staffs of Barney and Wishbone to form Lyrick Studios. Staying true to Leach's vision, Lyrick Studios sought to expand the offerings of quality children's entertainment products. In 2001, Dick's dream grew again when Lyrick was acquired by HIT Entertainment PLC. Dick became a major shareholder and member of HIT's board of directors. Throughout his tremendous commercial successes, Dick remained committed to religious education. He produced ''Vatican II: The Sacred Odyssey'', an acclaimed documentary which continues to air on PBS. Last year, he fulfilled a very personal ambition when he produced Francesco II Musical in Assisi, Italy. Based on the life of St. Francis, Dick produced the musical in 2000. Dick was a visionary who combined his love of family and faith in a life that touched people around the world. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice Foundation of America at 305-538-9272. Vigil begins Thursday, May 31, at 7 p.m. Funeral will be held on Friday, June 1 at 11 a.m. Both services will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 West Spring Creek, in Plano.