Gene Leonhardt

1935 - 2021

Gene Konrod Leonhardt, age 86, passed away unexpectedly on November 21, 2021, while visiting family in Denver, Colorado.
Born September 3, 1935, in Shelby, Ohio to Harold and Doris Leonhardt, Gene was a graduate of Shelby High School and served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for nine years. In 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Dolores Henson, and they raised their four children in Shelby. He was employed by Friebel and Hartman contractors before joining the team at AMF, where he spent 32 years. When AMF relocated from Shelby, Gene partnered with a friend to create two start-up companies where he remained until his retirement in 1997.
Gene served on the Shelby Park Board for 12 years and volunteered as a mentor in the local Junior Achievement program. An avid sports fan, he never strayed from his loyalty to the Cleveland Browns or Ohio State Buckeyes and loved following the Shelby High School athletic teams. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, cooking, reading and spending time with his family. He always looked forward to the annual Canada fishing excursion with his sons, grandchildren and friends. Gene loved aviation and was a longtime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. During his retirement, he was the co-builder of a complete sport aircraft which he pridefully witnessed complete its first flights in May 2021.
Gene and Dolores traveled extensively throughout the states, the Caribbean and Europe, most recently visiting the Black Forest area in Bavaria, Germany, where he retraced his ancestral roots. After residing in Shelby for 75 years, Gene and Dolores relocated in 2011 to Marblehead, Ohio, to be near their sons. He loved living on the lake and was enchanted by the beauty of the waves and wildlife. He was forever grateful for the wonderful life he had as patriarch of his close, loving family.
Gene is survived by his loving wife and partner of 67 years, Dolores, sons Steve (Sheree) and Kris (Johnnie), both of Sandusky, daughter Laura (Stan) Kornasiewicz of Colorado, sister Nita (Earl) Hespenheide of South Carolina, brother Jim of Arizona, nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest daughter, Andrea 'Andy' Achterhoff.
To honor Gene, memorial contributions may be made to The Chapel, 4444 Galloway Road, Sandusky, Ohio 44870.
A celebration of Gene's life will take place in the Lake Erie area in the spring of 2022.