Leonard Durham

Leonard "Bull" Durham, 90, passed away June 4, 2016 at Village on the Isle. Leonard was born on August 27, 1925 in Glen Carbon, IL to Carolina (Peradotti) and Rolla Durham, Sr. who along with his brother Rolla Durham, Jr. and his wife Olga (Kalapaca) Durham preceded him in death. Survivors include his four children and their spouses; L. David (Mary) Durham, Lynn (Grady Smith) Durham, James (Nancy) Durham, Larry (Leslie) Durham; his four grandchildren Geoffrey, Mitchell, Mackenzie, Matthew; and his brother Raymond Durham. Bull grew up in the small agricultural and coal mining town of Glen Carbon, IL. He joined the Navy Air Corps at the age of 17 and was sent to Milligan College, Duke University and the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI. After this schooling Bull had the chance to take tests for Submarine Training and PT Boat Training, passed both, chose Submarine Training and was accepted. Training was in New London, CT. He was assigned to the USS Crevalle and entered WWII as a radio, radar, and sonar operator. During this service Bull earned the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart and several other medals. He was a true hero. After his service Bull decided to attend school at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. It was there that he met the love of his life, Olga Kalapaca, to whom he was married for 67 years. It was there that he learned that he could make money working with fish. It was there that with co-workers he invented a portable electro-shocking device to stun fish from a boat to accurately assess the fish populations. And it was there that he finished his Bachelor's, earned his Master's, then Doctorate Degree in Zoology and Aquatic Ecology. Bull's and Olga's next move was to Charleston, IL and Eastern IL University in 1956 where he quickly became a beloved professor. In 1967 he became the Director of Eastern's Division of Life Sciences, a program that combined zoology and botany. At Eastern he was also an Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chairman of the Department of Zoology and Chairman of the Foreign Languages Department. He also served the city of Charleston as City Commissioner for eight years. Bull and Olga's next move was to Rotonda West, FL to their retirement "Dream" house where neither of them slowed down. Bull became very active in the VFW where he served as commander several years and was named all state commander. Other activities included Neighborhood Watch, American Legion, Fiesta Club (Alcalde), Shriners, Masons, Orchid Society, Elks, Men's Gold Association, and aquatic advisor to the Rotonda West Association. Bull and Olga made their last physical move together as they downsized and moved into the Village on the Isle in Venice, FL. It was there that they enjoyed their last years together. Olga passed away in March, now Bull has joined her. Bull was an adorable, hardworking person who would help anyone in need and was loved by all who knew him. He is and will be deeply missed. A memorial service is being planned by his children. Currently the date is unknown. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Leonard and Olga Durham Scholarship Fund at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920 Online at www.nationalcremation.com/location/sarasota