Robert "Bob" Leonard

1943 - 2017

Robert "Bob" Leonard

Anaconda, MT - Robert "Bob" Spears Leonard of Anaconda, Montana passed away March 6, after seven years of living with Alzheimer's Disease.

Bob was born in Asheville, North Carolina, in 1943. He was the first child and only son of Robert Spears and Lummie (Ball) Leonard. Bob was raised on Highland Farm in Black Mountain, NC with his two younger sisters. The family raised prize hogs, dairy cows and sheep. Bob attended Owen High School. He was active in 4H, won numerous livestock demonstrations, and sheep shearing contests. He also played varsity football and ran track.

Bob attended Mars Hill College where he ran track and cross country. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in biology. He also earned a degree in forestry from Haywood Technical Institute. Bob received a Masters Degree in Science Teaching from the University of Montana.

Bob met his soul mate, Claudia Bruhns, at Table Rock Runners Club in North Carolina, who became his loving wife of 34 years. Bob and Claudia were seldom apart. They enjoyed the outdoors and exploring new places. The couple relocated to Montana in 1984. Their love of education and Bob's interest in Native American cultures allowed the couple to live in Colorado, New Mexico, West Virginia, Washington and Idaho. The couple eventually settled in Montana for Bob's retirement from teaching.

Bob was an avid runner and competed in races until the age of 71. He had colorful running shoes that matched every outfit. Bob loved desserts, reading, and scaring his friends by jumping out of bushes and growling like a bear on hikes. A skilled archer Bob enjoyed bow hunting and rock collecting. He also loved camping and hiking in any mountain or forest with his wife and dogs.

Bob was a gentle kind soul who walked the earth quietly. He found peace in the quiet of the wilderness. He could name plants, wild flowers, trees, animals and rocks along every path he walked. He loved Native American History and art and found a spiritual connection with nature. Bob laughed often finding pleasure in the simplest details of everyday life. He loved to read and collected quotes in a journal of which the following Kasidah-Perslan quote summed up his feeling toward death. "Cease, man, to mourn, to weep, to wail; enjoy the shining hour of the sun; we dance along Death's very brink, but is the dance less full of fun?"

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Richard Crowley.

He is survived by Bruhns family in-laws, numerous nieces and nephews, his daughter Leslie Leonard, sisters Ellen (Randy) Freck and Madeline Crowley, his wife Claudia and dogs Opal and Topaz.

Cremation has taken place. As Bob's church was Mother Nature, prayers and thoughts of comfort are appreciated. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests wearing colorful shoes in his honor or making a donation to Bob's favorite charities: Running Strong for American Indian Youth www.indianyouth.orgor the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org.