Charles Leonard
Charles “Chuck” Leonard, 89, of Hot Springs, Ark., peacefully passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at home.
He was born Dec. 18, 1928, in Binghamton, N.Y., to Frances “Frannie” Leonard (Worden) and Charles H. Leonard. In his youth, he was nicknamed “Bud.” He was a graduate of Binghamton Central High School and upon graduation, worked as a milkman. His stepbrother, Dick Krach, remembers fondly. “Bud was the only milkman in Binghamton who drove a convertible.”
After being drafted during the Korean War, Chuck proudly served in the Marines. In September 1950, and prior to his departure for boot camp, Chuck married Naomi “Craig” Leonard. They met two years earlier at a mutual friend’s wedding as members of the wedding party where Chuck was an usher, and Naomi, a bridesmaid. During boot camp at Camp Pendleton, Chuck fell in love with the mild weather and spectacular beauty of California. After military service, Chuck attended Syracuse University on the G.I. bill and graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in engineering.
Chuck and Naomi relocated to California in 1959, with their daughters Kathy and Susan, where they purchased a home in Pomona, Calif., later settling in Claremont, Calif. Chuck worked as an aerospace engineer at General Dynamics Corporation, eventually becoming program manager, and was the chief designer of the anti-tank weapon. During this time, Chuck began to pursue his lifelong interest in aviation and became a licensed pilot, owning a series of airplanes, and teaching instrument ratings to other pilots. Chuck flew the family across the country to New York and Colorado in a Cessna 172 several times. He was also an associate professor and taught Engineering Math and Calculus at Cal State, Los Angeles in the late 1960s.
In the late 1970s, Chuck relocated to Alabama, doing consulting work in engineering and pursuing real estate. In 1981, Chuck relocated to Arkansas, working at the ARC Corporation in Camden, Ark. He married the love of his life, Asenath Smith, in 1984, and they moved to Hot Springs upon his retirement. Chuck enjoyed golf, travel, logic puzzles, a good Cabernet Merlot and the company of dear friends. Friends describe Chuck as a “Renaissance Man” and lament how much Chuck will be missed for his sense of humor and adventure, his competence in everything he did, and his strong sense of integrity.
Chuck was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Asenath; his former wife, Naomi; his sister, Mildred Ward; his daughter, Susan Marie Leonard; and his stepson, Charles Wayne Mullins.
Survivors include his daughter, Kathy Leonard, of California; his stepson, Tony Mullins, of Kentucky; his stepdaughter, Ellen Bridges Shaner, of Colorado; grandchildren, Zachary Lester, Alexander Teran, Nickolas Tueber, Tansy Coats, Charlie Mullins, Jeff Shaner, Samantha Shaner, Hannah Shaner and Lauren Shaner; his nephew and niece, Robert and Barbara Abolafia, of Florida; and finally, his beloved canine companion, Fabio.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9,
2018, at Gross Funeral Home with Pastor Teddy Frye officiating and a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity or to the ASPCA at http://www. aspca .org or mail a check to P.O. Box 96929, Washington, D.C.
20090-6929 in honor of Charles A. Leonard.
Guests, family and friends are all encouraged to register and document reflections at http:// www.grossfuneralhome.com.