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Steve Leonhard Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Steve Leonhard
Sponsored by Tom & Josh La Forge; Mat & Sean Leonard & Michele Leonhard.
June 22, 2012
Our boys just lost dear friend, Dalton Cook. I know you will greet him at those Pearly gates; I am sure you have the best fishing spots charted out and will share those with him. We always laughed when we saw Dalton because he seemed to always have a fishing pole in his hand! You would be so proud of Matt & Sean, and Uncle Bub always keeps an extra eye on them too. Continue to watch over us, we love an miss you so much.
Michele
dj laforge
April 11, 2012
god bless us all
Greg Devlin
January 10, 2012
Steve, we miss you brother! It was a great ride and we hope to see you again in the future on the "other side."
We're praying for you, your family and friends as we know it is very hard for them to lose you so soon.
Greg Devlin and Family
Thomas La Forge
December 26, 2011
Merry Christmas 2011
Love and Miss you
Matt, Sean, Tommy and Josh
December 26, 2011
Merry Christmas Shamu we love and miss you this Christmas save a place for all of us someday.
God Bless You
Tom Josh Matt Sean
Tommy La Forge
September 12, 2011
Happy Birthday Shamu belated 8/11; yesterday 9/11 tenth anniversay.
We miss you big guy.
Love Uncle Bub
Tommy La Forge
February 10, 2011
Shamu
Welcome Uncle Bill he made it to 60 but decided to join you & Mimi & his mom, your parents our uncle/aunts and freinds.
See ya someday maybe another 50 years. Everything is good at PAD B; Demolishing what you built. HA
Shelly's birthday today.
Uncle Bub
Tommy La Forge
November 24, 2010
Shamu
We will miss you, Mimi and your parents at Thanksgiving this year, You are in good company in Heaven with Brad, Dr.G, Tony H., Shelly/Keith, all the PAD RATS, all our uncles and aunts before you.
Love you
Uncle Bub, Matt, Seanee Qawanee, Josh, Big Matt, Brian, Jody/Jim, Kevin/David.
Tommy La Forge
November 7, 2010
Shamu
Thanks for sending Matt to live with me, Josh and Kevin; he learned allot from you while working at home in the garage all those years.
Happy Anniversary in Heaven on October 10th along with Mimi on 4th, Dr. G 6th, and Brad on 13th
Love you
From Shelly/Keith, Matt, Seanee Qawanee, Josh,Jodie/Jim Matt/Brian hundreds of co-workers at KSC, Kevin/David and Uncle Bub.
P.S. Your with Mom/Dad
Tom La Forge
April 2, 2010
Shamu
Have a Happy Easter in Heaven.
Love you
Uncle Bub, Josh, Sean, & Matt
Tom La Forge
February 26, 2010
Shamu
Your mom and dad are both with you now as well as MIMI,Uncle Neal, Pat, Mack, Dick. I heard about your mother today and your leaving us was to much for her heart to take. God bless you and I will keep eye out for your brothers Kevin & David. Matt, Seanee Qawanee and Josh are doig fine.
Love you
Uncle Bub
Tom La Forge
December 31, 2009
Shamu
God Bless you my friend in Christ and you are with me this New Years Eve in thoughts and prayers. I will watch out for our boys Josh,Seanee Qawanee and Matt.
Love
Uncle Bub
December 22, 2009
Shamu
God Bless you and we are really going to miss you this Christmas and New Years.
La Forge & Leonhard Family
Travis Thompson
December 2, 2009
It was an honor to know and work with Steve for 30years, his work ethic was an insperation to me and his smile is missed daily. I would hope that all family and friends know that he was a big part of our extended family here at KSC and we all share this great loss with you.
Love and miss you Pad Rat, Travis Thompson
Tom La Forge
November 25, 2009
"Shamu"
This will be your first Thanks Giving without family/friends. We all miss you and will dine with you again someday when we are called to our Last Supper table.
Love you
Bub, Josh, Matt, Sean, Big Matt, Brian.
Bob Walters
November 13, 2009
I wish to honor Shamu's memory by first offering my deepest and sincere condolences to his family. Steve was an extremely talented and dedicated student who was a real bright spot for me at Webster University. I enjoyed having him in all my classes and his work was outstanding as a graduate student. I will never forget him as he walked across the stage after receiving his master's degree hood from Webster. His smile was priceless, as always. He will be missed and I know the cluster of fine students that worked with him and studied with him all those years, and those of us who spent many evenings in class, including yours truly, his instructor in many of those classes, will never forget him. He truly made an impact on everyone who worked with him.
God bless Shamu and may he rest in God's eternal peace and light.
Shamu's Memorial Poster from Family-Friends at Kennedy Space Center his favorite saying "Come on Monday".
November 5, 2009
Shamu giving walkdown of Pad with STS-114 Astronuants
November 5, 2009
Shamu with beautiful niece Emily
November 5, 2009
Unlcle (Santa Claus) Shamu and Josh
November 5, 2009
Shamu @ Mimi Mc Farland's Irish Wake @ Center Pond Vt.
November 5, 2009
Shamu and Mimi just clowing around; he is with Mimi, his earthly and heavenly father how.
November 5, 2009
Shamu center off course with little guys Uncle Bub, Randy and Seanee Qawanee(future surfer extraordinaire) offering candy to girls
November 5, 2009
Shamu did catch the biggest bass "of the wall"
November 5, 2009
Shamu and his friends do not like being disturbed during siesta
November 5, 2009
Shamu saying goodbye to Popeye Jack
November 5, 2009
Shamu saying goodbye to (Popeye-Jack)
November 5, 2009
I have started the photo gallery for family and friends. Everyone is welcomed to contribute by leaving a message and photo if desired. We can all share this 24/7 and especially missing this gentle giant of a man at Christmas 2009 and New Years 2010. The kids all throughout Brevard County and anywhere he visited have one less Real Santa Claus to sit on and make wishes.
Amen
Tom(Uncle Bub) La Forge
Uncle Bub (tom) La Forge
November 4, 2009
Shamu spoke to me last night and asked that I keep his memory by leaving a place where everyone can pray, leave messages, pictures forever and keep us all united.
God Bless you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Christ our Lord.
Shamu
Valerie Work
October 22, 2009
Steve even though I only knew you for a few short years you brought so much love and happiness to my very close friend Sara and everyone you met which I adored you for. I know God has a plan for everyone here on earth and apparently had bigger plans for you in his heavens and I'm sure we will see you again. You were the sweetest and most caring man I think I have ever met and you will be truly missed. Valerie Work-Centreville VA
Mitchell Bromwell
October 16, 2009
We the PAD RAT's at Kennedy Space Center, will miss you Steve "Shamu" Leonhard, The next launch will be sad knowing you are not there and seeing your smiling face. You treated all of us as Brothers, and it didn’t matter what shop that was, AFT, FWD, ET/SRB ect; even if we only visited your PAD's for a couple of weeks each launch, we were "Doing Better Than We Deserve" knowing you Brother.
God Bless you Shamu & Come On Monday
Linda K. Smith
October 16, 2009
God Bless you and your family.
There are no words to express the loss and grief we all feel because you left us much too soon. We all wanted just one more Monday.
Your smile and positive example was such a gift to us. Thank you very much for that!
ALISA SULLIVAN-REDICK
October 16, 2009
MRS SARA, SCOTT, JENNIFER AND SETH:
I AM SORRY TO HERE ABOUT YOUR LOSS MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU GUYS.
Ken Priest
October 16, 2009
Shamu, I was blessed to know you and be led by your shining example. The way you lived your life and treated others makes us want to emulate you and live our lives better. We will miss your smile, quick wit, and kind heart. My prayers for you and your family.
October 16, 2009
Steve, you always had that great smile, and a kind word when you met the Security Officer at the gate. So many of us knew you, and respected you. We will all miss you. You will be in the heavens to greet the astronauts, and forever in our hearts. Our condolences to the family,
God speed Shamu.
KSC Security Officers
Chris Pierce
October 16, 2009
What can i say about this man whom i met six years ago so full of life always had a smile on his face and had the ability to put a smile on yours no matter how bad of a day you were having such a caring person that would give you the shirt off his back, i am so blessed to have gotten to know him as a friend and a boss you will surely be missed by all who knew you.my thoughts and prayers are with your family and the loved ones left behind i will trully miss you buddy and never forget you. God bless and God speed Brother.
October 16, 2009
Sara and family
Phil and I are so sorry for your loss, words are not enough to express our sorrow. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers always. Take care of yourselves during this difficult time.
Phil and Vicki Domagala
barry shannon
October 15, 2009
shamu your love for life my brother my love for you in this life we always had so much fun nomatter what we were doing trips to calf. you taught me much about being a good tech friend and not to let little things like work get to us you had away of making everything easy and funny you and I would pick at each other all day every day I will miss hearing you but have the memorys to relive god bless and somehow I hope for peace in your familys hearts my love for life my brother
Burton Nuse
October 15, 2009
Shamu, man what a unexpected shock. You are one of the greats. I have missed your funny New York "How ya do'n" morning greeting I got every morning when we past one another out at the Pad. It still doesn't seem real that you are no longer with us. You had a tremendous impact on everyone that met you, always smiling, joking and willing to help anyone with anything. Truly a great man that will be greatly missed. My family and I have your family in our thoughts and prayers. I will truly miss you buddy. Until we meet again down the road, Godspeed.
Joy Yoshida
October 15, 2009
Everyone has a story they can tell, with a smile, when they talk about Shamu. So much good was done by Steve. Our thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones.
October 15, 2009
Omar Bradley was considered a soldier's General because he had the respect and admiration of the people who served under his authority. So to did Steve (Shamu) Leonhard... the people who worked with Steve will always have great respect and admiration for him.Steve's kindness and gentilness permeated his friendly personality. I had the priviledge to work with Steve for over ten years. A rare and majestic man has been called back to heaven. Dave LaMarr
Eloy Davila
October 15, 2009
Kevin & Cindy,
My heartfelt sympathy is extended to you and your family. I had the pleasure of knowing Steve as a fellow student at Webster University. Big smile and even bigger heart. My thoughts are with you.
October 15, 2009
Sara and family-
We are so sorry for your loss. We are keeping you in our
thoughts and prayers. Gary has fond memories of Steve out at the Space Center.
Take care of yourselves during this most difficult time.
Robyn and Gary Whitmore
Janice Hazelton
October 15, 2009
To the Leonhard Family and the Pad Ops Family:
I was stunned and saddened to hear of Steve's sudden passing, and my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this most difficult time. It's hard to imagine the Pads without Shamu's smiling face and not hearing his three famous words ringing through the halls. Steve knew the importance of helping others, and he touched the lives of so many through his charitable works. God must have felt Steve's work here was done, so I celebrate his life, a life well lived.
Brad Berman
October 14, 2009
I've known Shamu for 25 years since he was a Hyper tech andI I was a NASA Safety newbie.He was a stand-up guy and it was a privilege to work with him.He will be missed.
October 14, 2009
I've known Shamu for 25 years since he was a Hyper tech andI I was a NASA Safety newbie.He was a stand-up guy and it was a privilege to work with him.He will be missed." Brad Berman ( Merritt Island )
Steve Super
October 14, 2009
My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. It’s still hard to believe Steve is gone. I don’t see how the launch pads or the world will ever be the same without him. I know that he leaves a large hole that can never be filled. He gave so much too so many. It saddens me see him leave us so early.
October 14, 2009
Steve "Shamu" Leonhard your big shoulders and big smile will be missed dearly along with your jokes and stories we had over the years. God Bless you, you made work easier for all of us. We will always remember the famous words "Come On Monday"
~ Gary and Kathy Wall
October 14, 2009
Tracy and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs, Dee
Jerry Lovelace
October 14, 2009
Many years ago when Shamu and I were just beginning our journey as PAD RATS one of our bosses, said that we were like a hand that was immersed in a bucket of water, and if we were to leave the space program, like the hand removed from the water would not leave a hole. Now some thirty years later, I assure you, that there is a huge hole left not only in the space program, but in the lives of those of us that were fortunate enough to have called Shamu our friend
Leria Joseph
October 14, 2009
Steve "Shamu" what a man, what a great human being. We at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society miss him so much. I am so priveleged to have called him a friend. Knowing him was such an honor. His impact in this life will be felt by many for a long time. Our thougts go out to all of his USA family, and to his mother, brothers, Sara, Matt, Sean, Seth and Steve.
Laura Kraubetz
October 14, 2009
Shamu was one of the best men I will ever have the privelege of calling my friend. He was like a father to me and I loved him very much. His family here at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are going to miss him more than words can say. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and everyone out at USA.
BC
October 14, 2009
Steve, always the kind word, always ready to listen, always a smile. There is a large hole now at the launch pads which will never again be filled the same way. We will all miss you and know that your looking down at us, probably laughing, and saying those same three words. All of us Padrats miss you Shamu..........you left us to soon.
Tom La Forge
October 14, 2009
I cannot even tell you what a loss this is to me and my family/Sara's family.
I loved/respected him and I cannot think of one person that comes close to the man he became and the legacy he leaves behind. He went on with a very busy life and still managed to work all the way through is Masters Degree. As I watched the Shuttle roll Out this morning there was a terrible emptiness because “Shamu” was there for the first one and almost made it to the last five launches.
I am trying to build a rocket stand in his back yard (VAB) for the ARES/Constellation program as the shuttle rolls by on its way to the pad for the next mission this morning, and in parallel think of the International Space Station, our plight for moon/mars missions. Well “Shamu” you just went light years ahead of us through all our galaxies to be with Christ our Savior at his LCC (Life Control Center).
Love you (Uncle Shamu)
Uncle Bub
Marilyn Fashano
October 14, 2009
Our Angel Steve is smiling down on us and doesn't want us to be sad. He loved life and his family and friends. He was like a brother to me since we were teens and I will miss him dearly.
Gene Evenson
October 14, 2009
Steve created smiles with everyone he met. We enjoyed getting to know him.
Donna Buck
October 14, 2009
Shamu was a wonderful person. I will miss his presence. To all that knew him he was a blessing in their life. May the peace and Love of Christ be with his family during this very sad time.
Betty Palmer
October 14, 2009
Never did I expect you to see Al so soon,nor did I expect this to happen. My sincerest sympathies to Sara, the boys, his mother , and all other family members. Joleen and Lauren also are thinking of you. KSC will never be the same and neither will we as your friends. Know that our prayers and thoughts are with all of your family at this shocking and sad time in their lives. Peace be with you.
Betty Palmer, Joleen Green,and Lauren Palmer
Ronnie Foster
October 14, 2009
My deepest sympathy to Steve's family, he was a very fine young man. Spent many hours at my home in Melbourne, when he was a teenager going to school with my daughter and friends.
Greg Lohning
October 14, 2009
We don't know why God call Shamu home at this time . I PRAY that same loving God will give comfort to the family, in knowing Shamu will be missed, here at Pad A. Your in our prayers.
Rita Lund
October 14, 2009
Kevin & family
Sorry to hear about the loss of your brother my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
October 14, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Steve. May your memories bring you comfort. I have many fond memories working with Steve the past 25 years as he was a great friend and co-worker. Steve will always be remembered by everyone who worked with him, he was an “Icon” at Kennedy Space Center and in Pad Operations where he provided incomparable leadership and guidance to the space program throughout each and every day of his entire career. We’re going to miss you Steve!
Kevin OToole
Dora Duffy
October 14, 2009
What a huge loss to the community and your Space Center family Steve "Shamu", you will be greatly missed and remembered by all who knew you! What an honor it was to have worked with you! God Bless your family and friends at this time. As you always said.......Come On Monday!
Angie Wilt
October 14, 2009
Dear Leonhard Family, Your loss is shared by all of us who knew and worked with him. When you hear the engines roar during the next shuttle launch, it will be Steve calling down from above, "Come on Monday". God bless Steve, and all of his family.
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