Robert George Leonard

Robert George Leonard
August 5, 1926 – February 6, 2022

Robert Leonard, 95, passed away peacefully February 6th on Bainbridge Island,
Washington. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to parents John and Mary Leonard, he was
the elder of two sons.

Robert lived through many of the major changes of the twentieth century. He grew up
during the hardship of the Great Depression, served in the Army Air Corps in the
Philippines at the end of World War II, and found his career as an aircraft mechanic and
inspector for Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis.

In 1952 Robert married the love of his life, Joan Marie Goga. For the next two decades
they raised their three sons in rural Bloomington, Minnesota, while Robert continued his
career with NW Airlines. With his airline employee benefits, he was able to take his
family on memorable vacations to Hawaii, California, and Washington State.

An accomplished handyman and home remodeler, Robert made improvements and built
additions to the family home in Bloomington to accommodate his growing family. When
he transferred to NW Airlines in Seattle, Washington in 1976, he continued to enhance
their new Commencement Bay view residence in Tacoma. He became an avid reader and
his wide-ranging knowledge was evident during family Trivial Pursuit games. Robert
liked to laugh and make others laugh as well with his friendly practical jokes.

After 42 years with NW Airlines, Robert retired in 1988. He and Joan enjoyed more than
twenty years of retirement together, taking several trips to Europe and destinations along
the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California. Becoming grandparents was a great joy
to Robert and Joan. They loved having their five grandchildren at their home in Tacoma
and taking them on trips as well. During retirement, Robert’s primary outdoor hobby was
golfing, a legacy that he passed down to his grandsons.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ted, and his beloved wife Joan
(March 2009). He will be greatly missed by his three sons, Mark (Izumi Kuroiwa) of
Santa Fe, New Mexico; Michael (Norimi Kusanagi) of Bainbridge Island, Washington;
and Matthew (Peggy) of Sedona, Arizona and by his grandchildren Nagisa Sharp,
Annalisa Parnell (Kevin), Kasumi Leonard, Sean Kusanagi (Hannah) and Kyle Leonard.
He was a kind and generous person who will be remembered for his legacy of love and
devotion to his family.



Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.