Robert Early Leach

Robert E. "Bobby" Leach 1922-2004 Robert E. "Bobby" Leach, a lifelong Austin resident, was called home on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2004. Bobby was born on March 5, 1922, the son of Charley Ross Leach and Mattie Anna Thiele Leach. He grew up on the C.R. Leach & Sons Dairy, one of the last family-owned and operated dairies in Travis County to provide daily home delivery. Bobby and his brothers and sister were heavily influenced by the strong Christian faith of their mother, and life on the dairy instilled in him the importance of family togetherness and hard work, values that stayed with him throughout his life. Bobby graduated from Austin High School in 1940, shortly after the loss of his beloved mother to tuberculosis. He followed his two older brothers by volunteering for the Army in World War II. Just weeks before leaving for the European Theater, he married Billie Lou Guinn, whom he met at their church, First Southern Presbyterian. He served in the 261st Infantry in the Central Europe Campaign, where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was cited for disregarding his personal safety, refusing medical attention, and his untiring courage as his platoon crossed the Fulda River in the face of enemy machine-gun fire. Bobby's deep Christian faith moved him to lead lay Sunday morning services for his fellow soldiers on the front lines. Along with other members of the Greatest Generation, however, due to his modesty and peaceful nature he almost never spoke about his War experience. After returning from the War, he joined the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier. He and Billie had three daughters to whom he was extremely devoted. Family was everything to him. He later showed the same selfless love and devotion to eight grandchildren, who were blessed beyond measure by Grandpa's love. Bobby's love for others was also reflected in the personal interest he took in his postal patrons. After twenty of thirty-four years of dedicated service, he was cited for his "matchless devotion to duty," and was accurately described as a "cheerful and kindly man who is ever ready with a smile, an encouraging word, and helping hand for everyone, and thus universally liked," whose "conduct both on and off the job is a model of probity." His selfless Christian love for others touched the lives of everyone he met. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers James, William, and Norman. He is survived by his wife of nearly sixty years Billie Lou; daughter Charlotte Safi and son-in-law Tony, daughters Carol O'Brien and Laurie Griffin; grandchildren Robert, Bryan, and Caroline Safi, Jay and Preston O'Brien, and Courtney, Chandler, and Cramer Griffin; sister Marjorie "Tiny" Leach; and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Drs. Paul Tucker and John Oswalt, and the staff of the Cardiovascular Recovery Unit at St. David's South Austin Hospital. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 pm on Saturday, November 13, 2004, at Wilke Clay Fish Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 2 pm on Sunday, November 14, 2004, at St. David's Episcopal Church, 304 E. 7th. The burial will follow at Austin Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. David’s Church Foundation, P.O. Box 315, Austin, TX 78767-0315. Arrangements by Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 S. Congress, Austin, TX 78704 (512) 442-1446. You may view memorials online at wcfish.com