LEAHY, ROBERT B. - Minnehaha County, South Dakota | ROBERT B. LEAHY - South Dakota Gravestone Photos

Robert B. LEAHY

Dell Rapids Cemetery - Dell Rapids Cemetery
Minnehaha County,
South Dakota

Robert
Birth: Dec. 28, 1917
Death: Mar. 14, 2002

Robert B. Leahy, 84, of Ellensburg, died March 14, 2002, at Royal Vista Care Center.

He was born in Chicago, Ill. on Dec. 28, 1917. Robert was the only child of Robert B. and Ella (Proctor) Leahy. Raised by his maternal grandparents, the family moved to New Jersey when he was a toddler and it was there that he was raised and attended public schools.

During World War II, he served as a civilian mechanic. His advanced training was in airplane mechanics. He was stationed in Alaska and Utah, and while serving in Salt Lake City, he met and married his first wife and together they had two children, a daughter and a son. His skills as a mechanic led the family to be transferred to Seattle, but he switched careers when family ties prompted relocation to Wapato. There he worked in the fruit industry and had a magazine route in the lower Yakima Valley. Following divorce, Bob moved to Yakima in the interest of his children.

In 1954, in Dell Rapids, S.D., Bob married Dorothy Kluth, who he met through a mutual friend at the home of her parents with her family in attendance. The blended family moved to Ellensburg where Bob attended Central Washington State College (CWU), and after graduation, he was employed by the college. He first worked in the science department then transferred to the maintenance department where he worked with the schools boilers. He retired from CWU on Nov. 30, 1981, and the following year, was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Despite advancing complications, he remained active for a number of years.

Bob and Dorothy were active with the Blue Agate Square Dance group and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Bob served as president for both organizations. They were active also in local Masonic affairs and Bob served as a Patron of the Order of Eastern Star. He was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and had served on the Board of Deacons.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy, at the family home; daughter, Margaret (Russell) Donohue of Portland, Ore.; sons: David Leahy of Spokane, Wayne Kluth of Kirkland, Marlo (Judy) Kluth of Kennewick and Carl (Cindy) Kluth of Las Vegas, Nev.; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

A memorial service celebrating Bob's life will be held at 2 p.m. on March 20, at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 1407 North B Street. Inurnment at a later date will be in the family plot in Dell Rapids, S.D. Cemetery.

Arrangements by Affordable Funeral Care of Ellensburg.

Contributed on 5/7/09

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Record #: 9500

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Submitted: 5/7/09 • Approved: 3/25/22 • Last Updated: 3/28/22 • R9500-G9498-S3

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