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Dr. Brent Leh Obituary
Brent was born on August 3, 1986 in St. Louis.
He lived in Edwardsville, Illinois, with his loving partner Molly Harris and her daughter Luca.
Brent completed his undergraduate work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, with honors, from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2012. He immediately joined the staff at Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon, Illinois, which was founded by his grandfather, Merrill Ottwein, DVM, and where he was currently practicing, specializing in emergency, critical care medicine. He became known for his enthusiasm in providing compassionate care of companion animals and their families. In addition to animals, Brent was most passionate about family and friends. In high school, Brent was known for his friendliness and leadership, including being captain of the wrestling team. His enthusiasm for wrestling continued as a volunteer coach. He enjoyed combat sports, boating, motorcycling, traveling, classic cars, and plain old having fun. His infectious smile won over the hearts of everyone he met. If he knew you, he loved you.
In true Brent fashion, five lives have been saved through his gift of organ donation.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Richard J. Leh.
Brent is survived by his parents, Ann (Michael) Culp and Richard J. Leh, Jr.; his brother, Richard J. (Laura) Leh III and niece, Devyn Anne; step-siblings Bethany C. (Eric) Paulsen and nephew Emmet; Benjamin M. (Megan) Culp and niece Julia, and nephews Wesley and Owen; Nathanial M. (Pamela) Culp and nephew Clayton; and Gregory Culp; grandparents Merrill and Grace Ottwein, Donna Ross and Ethel Leh; aunts and uncles, Amy (Keith) Zagar, Paul (Amber) Ottwein, Emily Ottwein, Linda Evans; cousins, John (Nicole) Ottwein, Adam (Jessica) Ottwein, Tyler (Amy) Ottwein, Dakota Roper, Matthew (Catherine) Zagar, Patrick Zagar, Benjamin Ottwein and Casey Evans.
A Memorial Service will be held at noon on Sunday, October 14th, followed by a Celebration of Life until 5 p.m. at the Jon Davis Wrestling Center at Edwardsville High School.
Memorials can be made to Hawthorne Animal Hospital Angel Fund, the Edwardsville Wrestling Club or the Mid America Transplant. In lieu of flowers please consider donating pet supply needs to Metro-East Humane Society and Partners for Pets.
Weber and Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville is charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dr. Brent Leh
November 3, 2018
Very sorry for your loss. May the memories of the wonderful times you shared comfort you today and in the days ahead.
1 Thessalonians 4:14
October 26, 2018
The Ottwein Family:
Dr. Leh was a wonderful vet. He will always will be remembered for being a great Vet and all of you are in my prayers.
Sheila Terrando
Edwardsville, Illinois
October 21, 2018
Dear Doctor Leh,
Thank you for helping to save my dog, Lewis. You were so kind to me and my dog.
Sincerely, Julie Williams
Z L
October 17, 2018
My sincere condolences to your family for the loss of your love one. May the God of comfort be with you during this sad occasion and may his loving words at John 6:40 console your heart.
Jack Lewis
October 15, 2018
My heart is broken for Brent's family and friends. I have known the Ottwein family for 57 years. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Ramona Rabiei
October 14, 2018
Dr. Brent Michael Leh I love you so much! I can't believe what happened I'm still in stock right now. I don't know if it's true.. so heartbreaking. I will always remember you and you'll always be my #1 Veterinarian you were so good to both of my pets Ladis (Cat) and Bowen (Dog) they loved you very much.. you made going to a vet office exciting for them.
Your personality is what drew me into you you had the most genuine personality towards everything and everyone you treated everyone equally and I loved that about you. I remember a time, when I was going through a very tough time in my life and you helped me through that difficult time I'm forever grateful for that. My friend Dr. Brent Leh you will forever be missed.. you'll never be replaced by anyone I can grantee that.
Praying for you and your family/friends in this difficult time. May all of you find peace and comfort.. I can imagine a loss of a family member and a close friend. May GOD be with all of you forever and always. This is not the end.
R.I.P. my dear friend and Veterinarian Dr. Brent Michael Leh.
AKL
October 14, 2018
My heart is broken for the Leh family and friends. Brent was such an awesome persons. He had a big heart and that smile. He gave a gift to so many that he will live on in them. Watch out world. May God bless you all ❤❤❤
Donna Hardbeck
October 14, 2018
Dr Leh was awesome. No matter how sick our pups were, he always was compassionate, extremely knowledgeable, and caring. He had a way of putting you at ease in the midst of an emergency. We will miss you Dr Leh. Heaven just got a phenomenal person
Melissa pioneer
October 12, 2018
With deepest sympathy on loss of your love one. May it bring comfort you to know that he will return to the days of his youthful vigor as promised at Job 33:25.
Brad and Penny Krome
October 12, 2018
We will miss Dr. Leh so much. We looked forward to vet appointments so much more after settling on Dr. Leh. He was so kind and never met a stranger. He was also fantastic with our pets. Our hearts break for his family and friends. We were privileged to meet and get to know him.
October 11, 2018
He was the vet of our 7 cats, for a year. I was looking forward to him seeing our new kitten, that my husband rescued. He was to see her on Monday. We loved him, he was so caring, excited, a wonderful way with our pets, his love of his profession shined in his eyes. He will definitely be missed, God bless his family and friends. We are so sorry for your tragic loss!
Nancy Sabaj
October 10, 2018
Dr. Leh had a special place in my heart because he helped me with my 20 year old cat, my sweet Nancy Jeanne. Dr. Leh was a kind, kind man and will be missed and remembered. His death is so heartbreaking and shocking. His family, friends, co-workers and little patients will be in my prayers, and I imagine him playing with my Nancy Jeanne in heaven.
October 10, 2018
Our Sincere and Deepest Sympathy to Rich and all of Brents family and Friends
Sincerely Judy and Ron
Rutledge and Family
Darlene Hlavsa Wessel
October 10, 2018
From a sweet little kindergartner to a wonderful young man that became a Dr. Dr. Brent Leh. We're all heartbroken for loosing you. You meant so much to so many. Words are just so hard to come by on how much you meant.
Please be my Brett's Guardian Angel - -
Love to all of your families.
xoxo Darlene Hlavsa Wessel
Lisa W
October 10, 2018
My heart goes out to his family. He helped with a couple of my pets. He was very kind and friendly and always smiled at you in the lobby. This is hard to accept and he will be greatly missed by so many, I'm sure.
Aunt Linda Evans
October 10, 2018
God's Blessings.
Amanda Gable
October 10, 2018
It was an honor to call Brent a friend of ours...he always greeted us with a big hug. His smile was contagious and his love for life and everyone around him made him who he was. You will be missed by so many bud!! Love ~ Eric and Amanda Gable (Medora, IL)
Barbara McDonald
October 10, 2018
Brent. On our minds, in our hearts, conversations around you and your special way with others. You are missed.
Rusty&Sheryl Burian
October 9, 2018
The legacy you leave behind is a reflection of the life you lived. What a great legacy Brent will leave.
Prayers to Brent's dear family and friends. Hold your memories in your hearts. God bless
Krystal Henderson
October 9, 2018
I worked with Brent when he was a tech assistant before he was accepted into vet school. It was years ago but I clearly remember how much fun it was to work with him. We used to joke about how one day I'd be working for him, despite my being older. He was a bright, quick learner with a great sense of humor and so very compassionate toward each animal he cared for. This all served him well as he went on to begin a career he was born to carry out. My life was and is better for having known Brent and I hope to carry some of his positive spirit with me moving forward. His light was unmistakable and all who knew him were drawn toward that light.
Tina Welmon
October 9, 2018
My sympathies to the Leh family. Brent, I watched you go from a kennel assistant to a Veterinarian and the overnight emergency shifts we spent together will remain one of the highlights of my career. Whether it was goofing off painting Cali and Blue's toenails or the serious business of saving lives, your enthusiasm, optimism and passion carried us through. You were the embodiment of the Veterinarian Oath, your heart showed in your compassion for our patients. It was an honor to know you and work beside you....my boy. I will miss you.
Sarah Monaco
October 9, 2018
I know you will never know this...and I don't even know how to put this into words because it is a feeling I can't really quite explain... but you impacted my life so significantly without even knowing it, Brent Leh. You were the veterinarian to my pets. Before you, I went through horrible... beyond horrible... experiences with vets. Prior to coming to you to take care of our fur babies, I refused to step foot into your clinic because the last memory I had there was rushing my animal to the hospital and him not making it out of there. Your clinic did everything possible to save my pet's life after another clinic took horrendous care of my pet. After that experience, though, I experienced extreme anxiety and fear that I'd lose another animal to poor doctor care anytime we took our other pets in to see a vet. If I'm being entirely truthful, we started coming to you after several other failed attempts at new vets because Dom Goodman knew you personally and I thought at least if something happens to our pets, he'd have to face Dom about it. How quickly that changed after our first visit there. You were a doctor that actually genuinely truly cared. You cared about your pets and their families. I cannot thank you enough for all that you did and the passion in your work. I know I didn't know you personally, but you took something so dark and filled with anxiety in me and let me see the light again. You let me trust again. Your loss is hitting our family hard...I can't even imagine trying to find someone to replace what you've given us and our pets. Thank you. Thank you a million times over.
To all his family and friends, I will continue to send love and prayers your way. I am sorry for this traumatic loss. Brent was an amazing person who will be very very missed on this Earth.
Laurie
October 9, 2018
I didn't know your son/loved one. However I feel compelled to thank you all/ him for such a generous gift of life to whoever the five individuals may be. I work in dialysis. Believe me when I say there's no greater gift than that of which you lived one has chosen to give. So on behalf of myself and any family that may have been touched by such a special gift thank you so very much. If only every person was as as giving. May god bless you in the future days, months, years to come.
Tina and Dave Church
October 9, 2018
Our prayers go out to Dr Leh's family. He will be greatly missed. We are so thankful we got to know this young man.
Chris E
October 9, 2018
Unbelievable! Fudgie and I knew you for such a short time but we will both miss you greatly. Rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with all your loved ones.
October 9, 2018
A thousand sighs and not enough... Dr. Leh helped me this past December when I had to put my sweet lab down, and he could not have been kinder or more compassionate. My heart breaks for all of you. Never forget how many lives have been touched by this sweet man.
Jan Douglass, Olive and Charley
October 9, 2018
Dr. Brent will be missed. He not only was great with our puppy but with our son who enjoyed the care, attention and conversations. My thoughts and prayers for his famiy
Rich Neitzert
October 9, 2018
God Bless you Dr. Brent. Bless your Dad, Mom, Brother and family.
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