The Honorable David R. Leslie

The Honorable David R. Leslie, 91, of Golden Valley MN died peacefully January 12, 2016. Born David Leuchovius, Leslie was the son of David G. and Ruth (Good) Leuchovius and loving husband of Corinne Shiell Leslie.

His parents; sisters Svea May, Irma Harvath, Ingrid Klanderud, Elizabeth Rylander, June Edlund and Lillian Fitzer, and son, Jonathan Leslie, precede him in death. He is survived by Corinne, his wife of 64 years; sons David (Michele), Karl (Mary) and James (Julie); daughters Deborah Leuchovius (James Poole), Karin Leslie Leuchovius and Jane (Kirk) Fox, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

After serving in the military in WWII, Leslie graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School (1950). He began his legal career in private practice in Dassel, MN where he held the offices of village clerk, justice of the peace and village attorney. He joined the staff of MN Attorney General Miles Lord in 1957, and continued serving as an Assistant Attorney General under Attorney General Walter Mondale until 1963. In this role he was assigned to the Department of Administration, State College Board, the Adjutant General, the Civil Service Department, and the University of Minnesota —assignments that according to Kathleen A. Blatz, former chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, “probably command the attention and devotion of enough lawyers to fill the offices of one of our largest Twin Cities law firms today.”

Leslie found his calling early in life, first announcing his plans to become a judge at the age of 5. He served on the bench a total of 39 years finally retiring at age 78. He was appointed to the Municipal Court bench by Governor Karl Rolvaag in 1963, to the District Court of Hennepin County by Governor Wendell Anderson in 1971; and to a newly established Minnesota Court of Appeals in 1984 by Governor Rudy Perpich. After retiring from the appellate court in 1987, Leslie continued working part-time in the Court of Appeals, Tax Court and Trial Court in the 7th and 10th districts, as well as serving on a Special Appeals Court panel until 2002. It was work that he truly loved.

Visitation will be held Sunday January 17, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 2250 St. Anthony Blvd NE, Minneapolis, MN. (Please note handicap access at the back of the funeral home). Visitation will also be held Monday, January 18 at 10:00 AM, one hour prior to 11:00 AM Services at the Church of Epiphany, 4900 Nathan Lane, Plymouth, MN.

Interment: Monday, January 18, 2:30 PM, Sunset Cemetery.

Memorial Preferences: Church of the Epiphany, PACER Center