Leo E. Manzer

Leo, age 78, passed away peacefully on the morning of Aug 10th at home with his wife, two children, and beloved dog, Chloe, by his bedside. Leo was born in 1947 in Timmins, Ontario Canada.He spent his early years moving around in Ontario before his family settled in Niagara Falls.He graduated with an Honors degree in Chemistry from the University of Waterloo and obtained his PhD in chemistry from the University of Western Ontario in 1973.
Upon graduation he was hired by DuPont and joined their Central Research Department at the Experimental Station in Wilmington DE where he began a 32-year career.Leo managed groups doing catalysis and process research and development, retiring at the age of 58 as a DuPont Fellow.After retirement Leo founded Catalytic Insights and worked with over 50 startup companies developing technologies for the conversion of biomass to biofuels and biochemicals.During his consulting and DuPont careers he was the proud inventor of 167 US patents and over 500 foreign patents.
Leo loved the outdoors and after retirement enjoyed his home in Lewes DE where he spent much of his summertime surf fishing and kayak fishing at Cape Henlopen State Park. It was there that he taught his children and grandchildren to fish and kayak. He also enjoyed fishing and camping with his brother in Northern Ontario for bass, and multiple trips to Kodiak, Alaska, to catch salmon and halibut.
Leo is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret, children Joan and Chad, 4 grandchildren and his brother Al.
A visitation will be held on Monday, August 18, from 10 am to 11:15 am at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 7 Sharpley Rd, Wilmington, DE where a eulogy will follow at 11:20 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am. Burial will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation; www.t2t.org or MDS research.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com