Robert Bob E Leonard

Bob Leonard, a resident of Stow, passed away on Sunday, January 18th, 2015 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital from complications following a lung transplant. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Muriel (Moore) Leonard.

Bob was born in Yonkers, New York on September 5th, 1948. He lived in Hastings-on-Hudson until the family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1955. Bob attended Los Alamos High School. In 1967, he entered the military and served in a M.A.S.H. unit in Seoul, South Korea. Bob was honorably discharged in 1970 and returned stateside to Fort Devens. The service piqued Bob’s interest in surgery and medicine; he graduated from Quincy Vocational Technical School as a Surgical Technician. Upon graduation, Bob was employed at Boston City Hospital, after which he joined Cambridge Otolaryngology medical practice at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA. Bob continued his employment there as a Surgical Assistant and Office Manager for almost 40 years. He retired in 2012.

Bob was a devoted and loving husband to his wife Sheila, father to his children Jonathan and Cara, father-in-law to Jon Cross, grandfather to his three granddaughters Olivia, Addison, and Annabelle, Brother to Barry Leonard and Bonnie Burrell, and loving nephew to Mary Richardson. He also leaves behind loving nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Bob was active in his communities where he lived in Sudbury and Stow. Sheila and Bob settled in Sudbury where they raised their two children. He always thought of Sudbury as his home. He was a coach in Little League baseball while Jonathan grew up, and attended Cara’s countless musicals and dance recitals. Bob and Sheila were fortunate to be able to travel each year, including around the country and to the Caribbean. In his retirement he served on the landscape committee in his complex and volunteered at the food pantry. Bob enjoyed taking care of his grandchildren and bowling with his friends. He was a diehard Red Sox fan.

Bob will be remembered as hardworking, kind, gentle, sincere and patient. He had an infectious laugh and calming presence that provided support and comfort to so many. Always eager to lend a hand, Bob was a faithful and loyal friend and neighbor who found the good in everyone. To quote his friends and family, Bob was “one of the truly good men.” He will forever be in our hearts.

Memorial donations should be directed to St. Bernard’s Elementary Playground Fund, 254 Fitchburg St., Fitchburg, MA 01420 or to Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St., Suite 304, Chicago, Il 60611.