Robert William Leech, Sr. died July 29, 2016 at his home in Stuttgart, AR.
Bob was born in Greenwood, Missouri, on Aug. 1, 1918 to the late Mary Stevenson Leech and Harry Everette Leech. Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his siblings, Howard, Homer, and Dorothy. Bob graduated from Higginsville Missouri High School in 1936 where he was scouted by Coach Don Faurow and offered a football scholarship to the University of Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1940 with an Accounting/Business Degree where he was a member of the Missouri "Tiger" football team. Bob played in the Orange Bowl in 1940 and was named to the 1940 College All Star Team. Football was a big part of Bob's life even after college and he officiated Arkansas high school football for many years.
Bob met his wife of 74 years, Louine, at a dance at the Fredericka Hotel in Little Rock, AR while stationed at Camp Robinson. They were married in 1942 in Sans Luis Obispo, California. Bob served as an officer in the finance section of the 35th Infantry Division during WWII and was later a member of the Army reserves.
After the war, Bob and Louine returned to McGehee, AR where he was in the grocery business with his father-in-law, Benjamin Selman. Later, besides the McGehee Store, Bob and Louine owned Sunflower Food Stores in Monticello, Dermott, and Hamburg. Bob and his family moved to Monticello in 1964 where they lived until 2012 when they moved to Stuttgart to live across the street from their son, David, and his family.
Bob was an active member of the First Methodist Church in both McGehee and Monticello. He was the first president of the Leadership Sunday School Class at First Methodist in McGehee which is still active today. Bob served on numerous committees in the Methodist Church in Monticello throughout the years. He taught Sunday School, was Chairman of the Board, chairman of the Finance Committee, active in Methodist Men, member of Gideons, and served on the Camp Tanako Board for many years. Bob was president of the Rotary Club in both McGehee and Monticello with perfect attendance for fifty years.
In retirement, Bob and Louine traveled extensively all over the world, often with their children and grandchildren. They spent their time being super grandparents to their six grandchildren attending their activities, graduations, and weddings.
Bob is survived by his wife , Louine Selman Leech of Stuttgart, son Robert W. Leech Jr. and wife , Pat, of Hot Springs, daughter Mary Leech Johnson and husband, Richard, of Alexandria, VA, and son David Selman Leech and wife Jimmie Jo of Stuttgart. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Dr. Ashley Field(Patrick), David Johnson(Emer), Doug Leech(Gretchen), Charles Robert Leech(Sarah), Matt Johnson(Maggie) Deborah Jo Leech, and 7 great grandchildren, Nora, Landon, Triston, Cole, Helen, Emma, and Alex.
Funeral services will be at the First Methodist Church in Stuttgart on Bob's 98th birthday, Monday, August 1, at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. David Bush officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time Monday, August, 1 at First United Methodist Church in Stuttgart. Burial Service will be at the Moseley Cemetery in Warren, AR at 3:30 p.m. Arrangements are by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to United Methodist Camp Tanako, 4301 Hwy. 29, Hot Springs, AR 71913. Online guest register HYPERLINK "http://www.frazerfuneralhome.com" www.frazerfuneralhome.com
Bob was born in Greenwood, Missouri, on Aug. 1, 1918 to the late Mary Stevenson Leech and Harry Everette Leech. Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his siblings, Howard, Homer, and Dorothy. Bob graduated from Higginsville Missouri High School in 1936 where he was scouted by Coach Don Faurow and offered a football scholarship to the University of Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1940 with an Accounting/Business Degree where he was a member of the Missouri "Tiger" football team. Bob played in the Orange Bowl in 1940 and was named to the 1940 College All Star Team. Football was a big part of Bob's life even after college and he officiated Arkansas high school football for many years.
Bob met his wife of 74 years, Louine, at a dance at the Fredericka Hotel in Little Rock, AR while stationed at Camp Robinson. They were married in 1942 in Sans Luis Obispo, California. Bob served as an officer in the finance section of the 35th Infantry Division during WWII and was later a member of the Army reserves.
After the war, Bob and Louine returned to McGehee, AR where he was in the grocery business with his father-in-law, Benjamin Selman. Later, besides the McGehee Store, Bob and Louine owned Sunflower Food Stores in Monticello, Dermott, and Hamburg. Bob and his family moved to Monticello in 1964 where they lived until 2012 when they moved to Stuttgart to live across the street from their son, David, and his family.
Bob was an active member of the First Methodist Church in both McGehee and Monticello. He was the first president of the Leadership Sunday School Class at First Methodist in McGehee which is still active today. Bob served on numerous committees in the Methodist Church in Monticello throughout the years. He taught Sunday School, was Chairman of the Board, chairman of the Finance Committee, active in Methodist Men, member of Gideons, and served on the Camp Tanako Board for many years. Bob was president of the Rotary Club in both McGehee and Monticello with perfect attendance for fifty years.
In retirement, Bob and Louine traveled extensively all over the world, often with their children and grandchildren. They spent their time being super grandparents to their six grandchildren attending their activities, graduations, and weddings.
Bob is survived by his wife , Louine Selman Leech of Stuttgart, son Robert W. Leech Jr. and wife , Pat, of Hot Springs, daughter Mary Leech Johnson and husband, Richard, of Alexandria, VA, and son David Selman Leech and wife Jimmie Jo of Stuttgart. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Dr. Ashley Field(Patrick), David Johnson(Emer), Doug Leech(Gretchen), Charles Robert Leech(Sarah), Matt Johnson(Maggie) Deborah Jo Leech, and 7 great grandchildren, Nora, Landon, Triston, Cole, Helen, Emma, and Alex.
Funeral services will be at the First Methodist Church in Stuttgart on Bob's 98th birthday, Monday, August 1, at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. David Bush officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time Monday, August, 1 at First United Methodist Church in Stuttgart. Burial Service will be at the Moseley Cemetery in Warren, AR at 3:30 p.m. Arrangements are by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to United Methodist Camp Tanako, 4301 Hwy. 29, Hot Springs, AR 71913. Online guest register HYPERLINK "http://www.frazerfuneralhome.com" www.frazerfuneralhome.com
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