Wayne Leydsman

Wayne "Dutch" Leydsman

July 1, 1950 – March 25, 2026

Our husband, brother, dad, grandpa, and friend, Wayne "Dutch" Leydsman, took his final flight on March 25, 2026, surrounded by his family after a hard-fought battle with interstitial lung disease.

Born on July 1, 1950, in Somerset, New Jersey, to Dutch immigrants Adolf and Irene Leydsman, Wayne was incredibly proud of his heritage. If you ever stepped foot in his home or had the privilege of eating his cooking, you knew exactly where his roots were planted.

Wayne had a lifelong, undeniable obsession with planes, trains, and automobiles-and if you knew him, you know that wasn't just a movie reference; it was his lifestyle.

A skilled and passionate aviator, Wayne earned his pilot's license at just 19. He proudly served as a helicopter pilot in the United States Coast Guard (both active duty and reserves) from 1971 to 1990. Off duty, he taught private flying lessons and spent countless hours happily tinkering with, maintaining, and flying his Cessna and Twin Comanche aircrafts, as well as his current airplane, a Cherokee.

He dedicated 30 years to the Salt Lake City Fire Department as a fire inspector from 1977 to 2016.

A devoted Lionel train enthusiast, Wayne brought joy (and perhaps mild amusement) to friends and neighbors with his elaborate "Christmas" train display-which he generously kept running well into April. He built lasting friendships in several Utah train clubs, volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol for search and rescue missions, and, living by the motto "Once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout," served as a dedicated scout leader.

Wayne and his wife, Bev, served a mission in Mérida, Mexico. He'd be the first to admit that speaking Spanish didn't come naturally to him, but the universal languages of his kindness, homemade baked goods, and uncanny ability to fix absolutely anything made a lasting impact.

He leaves behind a loving and wonderfully modern family: his favorite (and current) wife, Bev Leydsman, whom he married for time and eternity in the Provo Temple on January 3, 2013; his former wives, Ida Pendleton Leydsman and Thomasania Montgomery Leydsman; and the wife who shall remain nameless (the one who stole his tent!).

He is also survived by his daughters, Greta (Daniel) and Ellie (Chris); his son and best buddy, Nicholas; his stepchildren, Thomas Sconiers (Gina) and Sheila Sconiers; his brother, Kim (Guadalupe); and a gaggle of beloved grandchildren: Arie, Vivi, Destiny, Emmaline, Kenneth, Penelope, and Owen. Wayne also leaves behind a neighborhood's worth of stray cats who somehow always knew he was a softie who would feed them, as well as many extended members of the Leydsman clan.

Waiting to welcome him on the other side are his parents; his sister, Eleanor; his brother, Henry; and his stepson, Kenneth.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 31, at 11:00 AM at the Orem Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Grandview Wardhouse, 1555 North 1350 West, Provo. Casual dress is encouraged-Wayne wouldn't have had it any other way.

As we say goodbye to our favorite pilot, train conductor, and handyman, we ask that you honor Wayne by reaching out to those you care about, taking them out to Chuck-A-Rama, and letting them know what they mean to you. Eet smakelijk!