Robert L. Leonard

1937 - 2021

Robert L. Leonard passed away peacefully at his home in Tolland on Friday, September 24 surrounded by his family. Bob was born in Lexington, NC on June 19, 1937, he graduated from North Carolina State University and earned a PhD degree at the University of California, Berkley. Bob spent 34 years teaching and doing research at the University of Connecticut in Agricultural Economics. He also worked in Washington, DC under special appointments to the Army Corps of Engineers where he collaborated on the Clean Water Act of 1972 which serves to protect US waters from pollutants. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary (Cady) Leonard, daughter Allison Altieri and her husband Jason of Mansfield and his stepdaughter Alison Cady of Stafford Springs, and daughter-in-law Michele Cady. Also his grandchildren Eve and Jonas Altieri, and Taylor, Ian and Aidan Cady who he cherished spending time with especially sailing Fisher's Island Sound and their many trips to Block Island aboard his sailboat. He is also survived by brothers Banks Leonard of Memphis, TN, Kenneth Leonard of Manila, Philippines and Paul Leonard of Lexington, NC. He was predeceased by his parents Ida (Miller) Leonard and Virgil Lee Leonard of Lexington, NC, his son and sailing buddy, Robert Marcus 'Marc' Leonard, and stepson Scott Cady. Following his retirement in 1997 he found time to devote himself to his many interests: family, sailing which included a 9-month cruise down the intracoastal waterway from Stonington, CT to Key West, Fl. and back, traveling, gardening and generally fixing anything that broke. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bob's name to a charity of your choice. A private celebration of his life will be held at a future date.