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1948 - 2022

BORN

1948

DIED

2022

Leland Bard Obituary

PIQUA -- Leland Wright Bard, age 74 passed away on July 11, 2022, in California. He was born on June 19, 1948, to Otho Bard and Hazel (Wright) Bard in Piqua.

Survivors include siblings Joy Bard (Mike) Burdo of New Carlisle, Oh and Gwen Bard Netzley Karr and husband Doyle of Piqua.

Leland is also survived by nieces Chris (Rob) Johnston of Tipp City, Jean (Jim) Sands of Lakeview, OH and New Port Richy, FL and nephews Greg (Maureen) Netzley, Eddyville, KY, Rock Wight of Atlanta, GA, and Jim Burdo of Medway, OH. Other survivors are Dylan Johnston of Marietta, OH, Jessica Sands and partner Jason Shea, of Dayton, OH. Erica (Dave) Cramer and sons Jaxon and Troy of Milton, GA, Laura Netzley and fiancé Matt Mason of Charlotte, NC, and Austin Netzley of Austin, TX. Leland was preceded in death by his parents, niece Shari Netzley of Atlanta GA, and brother- in – law Mike Burdo of Huber Heights, OH.

Leland bard was a 1966 graduate of Piqua Central High School and graduated from Ohio state with a master's degree in journalism. His writing career was used in service to nonprofit groups such as Lewitzky Dance Organization, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, and Community Church Los Angeles,

all in California. Leland loved the arts, especially music and theater, and was an avid photographer. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Leland spent his final days in Glendale House Congregate Center, Glendale, CA where he was treated for cancer.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Miami Valley Today from Jul. 13 to Jul. 15, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Leland Bard

20 Entries

Bill Bednash

December 17, 2023

Leland was a thoughtful, articulate man. I enjoyed getting to know him as a Facebook friend. I will miss his wit and sophistication, and of course him.

Jane Miho

October 11, 2023

I can´t believe Leland is gone. I kind of knew something wasn´t right when I saw his empty seat at LA Phil. Then, when he didn´t respond to my messages I figured he was in the process of moving and just busy. I´ll miss his beautiful photography that said so much about him and his wonderful writing and of course, I´ll miss him so much.

James Burdo

Planted Trees

Lynn Penrod

September 11, 2022

Oh,my. I had been missing Leland on FB and just now looked for him on Google. So sad to see his obituary and have been sitting here thinking about what fond memories I have of him. I am two years older (born in Piqua in 1946). The Bard family and the Penrod family were members of the Congregational Christian Church so I knew the entire family from the time I started Sunday School. Leland's sisters, Joy and Gwen, were my babysitters! It was always fun to talk with Leland about what to read, what music to listen to, where we wanted to end up living some day...Both of us are Ohio State alums and although I never managed to get together with him after he moved to California, I was very happy to reconnect with him on FB these last few years. A special person indeed. My sincere condolences to all his family and friends.

Martyn

August 9, 2022

Can anyone tell me where Leland will be interred?

Stjepan Vlahovich

August 7, 2022

Stjepan Vlahovich

August 7, 2022

Stjepan Vlahovich

August 7, 2022

Stjepan Vlahovich

August 7, 2022

Stjepan Vlahovich

August 7, 2022

I learned only yesterday about Leland's death, though I had a feeling something was not right when this May, for the first time in decades, I did not receive a Birthday card from him and had no response to notes I sent him on Messenger.

For me, the friendships forged in my early adulthood that have endured have been the most meaningful of my life. Leland's was one of those. We became friends while we were students at Ohio State. We worked together on the school yearbook, the Makio (I was Co-Editor of the 1969 editon, and Leland edited the 1970 one.) We went to a lot of the same parties, mostly with journalism and theatre students. We hung out together at Larry's, the campus hippie, formerly beatnik, bar.

I am sorry to say that after Leland moved to California, I saw him in person only a handful of times. But we kept in touch, largely thanks to his efforts as a writing master sharing what he discovered in the world. In recent years we used FaceBook to share stories and photos of mutual interest. Leland was one of the very smartest people I have ever known, and his endless curiousity kept expanding his knowledge and that of his friends. His kindness was endless as well.

The last time I saw Leland in person was a few years ago when he visited Ohio after his retirement. We had a short visit; Leland had a punishing schedule for his trip. One of the things I told him then was how often I thought about him. While these are far from the only times, I told him about two particular, and perhaps strange, triggers that have always brought him to mind throughout the past 50+ years. One is ironing a dress shirt, which I did every day for most of my career in state government. Leland taught me how a man's shirt should be ironed, and I have never forgotten his method.

The other trigger happens every time I eat a piece of pie. While at Ohio State, Leland and I both took meals at the Ohio Union. They had excellent pie, and I ate a lot of pieces (as I sometimes still do). The first time I ate pie in Leland's presence, he cringed when I dug in tip first. He explained his reaction by telling of his Grandmother's caution -- I believe this came from her Welsh heritage -- that it was bad luck unless the tip of a wedge of pie was the last bite consumed. His reaction was strong enough that ever since I always eat pie in the Bard-approve manner, and think of him when I do. Silly, I know, but sometimes it is the little things about a big friend that I remember.

I am uploading four pictures of Leland from the OSU yearbook days. The first two are from the 1969 edition on which he served as Copy Editor. The second two are from the 1970 edition on which he served as Editor. The last photo is of an acrylic paperweight in which is embedded a dandelion seedhead. Leland and I were fascinated by these paperweights which were sold in a nearby campus giftshop. The one I received as a present from him has been a cherished momento of our friendship with a place of honor in my home ever since Leland gave it to me.

I have long cherished Leland's friendship and the big part he played in my life. I cherish his memory.

Molly Maccracken

July 31, 2022

Leland was a dear friend. He had the world´s best laugh. Always good company.

Joyce Roby

July 25, 2022

I was acquainted with Leland in Columbus. He was a sweet man. May he be smiling in the ether somewhere special.

The DeVoughs

July 25, 2022

The DeVoughs

July 25, 2022

The DeVoughs

July 25, 2022

The DeVoughs

July 25, 2022

In 1983, we opened a small coffee shop on Spring Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation had an office there, and Leland became a steady customer.

Years later, the building was sold and we lost our lease. We closed the business in 1992, but remained in contact with Leland from then until this past Christmas in 2021. Each year, Leland sent holiday cards and he also always remembered our wedding anniversary.

When we closed the coffee shop, he gave us a parting gift --- a set of holiday "fruit lights" for our Christmas Tree. [see photo] It may seem like a small thing, but we carefully stored the lights to be used every year. After the tree was up, we'd send him a photo of the fruity lights to remind him we were so thankful to have them, and to have him as such a lifelong friend.

Our email to him this past year went unanswered, and now we know why. He never mentioned any illness. This is incredibly sad. In total, we've known and loved him for 38 years.

I paused a moment ago and went back to see previous emails we had received from him up to 2020. This really hurts.

Peter & Nick (Wimbledon)

July 23, 2022

In loving memory of a great friend and very special person. Leland visited and kept in touch with his English friends until near his passing. Best memories are of visits to California where Leland introduced us museums, galleries, etc. AND the "Cheesecake Factory". I especially cherish sharing laughs and art stuff! He's so missed!

Martyn Oakley

July 22, 2022

Known Leland for a few years now, we have had some good times together, used to meet once a year when me and my Husband came to the USA. Was always fun to hear his stories. We saw him last in November 2019. He will be missed.

Gee Hall, Sharon Wilson

July 20, 2022

Gwen, Doyle and family..so very sorry to hear this news. We just have so many memories of Leland through high school, but especially from our years together at church...choirs, Sunday School, youth group, the trip to Delmo and North Dakota He was just such a wonderful person. We know he will be missed by so many. Prayers for all of you who will miss him most of all.

Judy Opphile Smith

July 14, 2022

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Leland and I were close friends since kindergarten. We spent much time together when in elementary school and continued to be close friends and did many things together through junior high and high school. One of my oldest memories is when either Joy or Gwen who were older than us was dropping a container of chip dip and Leland yelled, " Save the dip!" I am so glad that the internet gave us a way to stay in contact throughout the years.

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