Robert E. Leigh

Robert E. Leigh was unexpectedly called home to the Kingdom of Heaven on March 1st, 2024. He was 97 years old. He was born on March 7th, 1926, in Fairburn- a small village 4 miles west of Berlin, WI. Growing up, he worked at a small general store that his grandparents owned, and he also helped on the family farm. When he was 18 years old, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He took basic training in Ft. Eustis, Virginia and technical training in Wyoming. Afterward, he was sent overseas to Yokohama, Japan where he served in the 8th Army Occupation before his discharge on August 26th, 1947.He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal. After returning home, he worked at the Berlin Chapman foundry where he poured iron and made mold castings for Briggs-Stratton engines for two and a half years. He then worked at Rockwell International as a machine operator for 35 years, retiring on December 31, 1988. He was a member of UAW Local 291, and also a 3rd Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus in Berlin. Bob met his dear wife June at a roller rink in Redgranite in 1947. They were married on November 26, 1949, and celebrated an incredible 74 years together. After his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering for Berlin Memorial Hospital’s Meals on Wheels program, and spending time with his family. Another of his great joys was traveling around with mom in their Cadillacs. From a Fleetwood to a Sedan DeVille to a DTS, he always believed in riding in style! He loved mom’s chocolate chip cookies, lemon meringue pie, and he made the best Old Fashioneds! He also enjoyed country music, and there was no bigger fan of Emmylou Harris than Bob. He is preceded in death by his mother Bernice Friend, grandparents Louis and Anna Leigh, aunts and uncles, Norman (Ruth) Leigh, Norma (Art) Coleman, Donald (Marion) Leigh, Bernard (Ida) Leigh, Dorothy (Ben) Drover, and his daughter Peggy Leigh. He is survived by his wife June, his children, Gary (Elaine) Leigh, Rick (Sharon) Leigh, Debi (Jerry) Dowen, and Randy (Sharon) Leigh, his grandchildren, Jamie Peters, Jason (Ellen) Leigh, Rachel Leigh, Lauren Leigh, Austin (Pauline) Leigh, Nora Leigh, Noah (Daphne) Leigh, Tara Leigh (John), Whitney (Brad) Eidahl, Scott (Jennifer) Dowen, Sean Dowen, Ryan Klassa, Timothy Klassa, Eric Lee (Austin), great-grandchildren, Devan, Marina, Ava, Rebeccah, Chaz, Shannon, Scott, Sullivan, Micah, Felicity, Owen, Clara, Ella, Mariella, Cienna, many nieces, nephews, relatives & friends. Bob was known and loved by many, and he will be very deeply missed. His enthusiasm, generosity, and kindness brought out the best in everyone, and his legacy of love and compassion will live on in the hearts of all us who were so blessed to know him. "Thanks, you guys" -Robert E. Leigh 1926-2024

Robert E. Leigh

March 7, 1926 - March 1, 2024