Richard Leach

On Monday, June 3, 2024, Richard Burdette Leach (Dick) passed away peacefully in Charlottesville, Virginia. Mr. Leach was born on July 13, 1939, in Washington D.C. and was a graduate of St. John’s College High School and LaSalle University. He married Laura Alice Long in 1965. He served our country briefly in the United States Marine Corps before being honorably discharged and then moved on to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), retiring in 1995 after a distinguished career as an intelligence officer. Upon retirement he moved to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia where he lived for 25 years prior to relocating to Charlottesville, Virginia in 2019. He was an active member of Resurrection Parish in Moneta, Virginia before moving to Charlottesville. He enjoyed doing things for others and was involved in many service projects throughout the years. He was outgoing and enjoyed finding ways to connect with people and lend a helping hand. Mr. Leach is survived by his two sons, Mark B. Leach and Derek B. Leach of Charlottesville, and their respective spouses Deanna Deane Leach and Allison Parry Leach; three granddaughters, Anna Marie Leach, Sarah Brooks Leach and Rachel Laura Leach; two step granddaughters, Morgan Hall and Haley Hall. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years Laura, both of his parents, Sandford Burdette Leach and Mary Hall Leach; and his sisters, Sandra Molyneaux and Patricia Wilson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to honor Dick make a donation to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank or your local food bank, as feeding those in need was important to him.