Wilbur G. Leonard

Wilbur G. Leonard, 89, a long time Topeka attorney, died Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at Brewster Place.

The son of Frank C. and Golda E. Good Leonard, he was born March 14, 1917, in White City, Kansas. He graduated from White City High School and the University of Kansas, where he received a BA in political science in 1939 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1941.

Mr. Leonard was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 1941 and started private practice in Council Grove with Walter E. Hembrow that same year. He served as Morris County Attorney for seven years. Since 1951, he has lived in Topeka, practicing before the Kansas Supreme Count, the US District Court for Kansas, the l Otn Circuit Court of Appeals, and the US Supreme Court. He served as US Attorney for Kansas, attorney for the Alcohol Beverage Control, chief attorney for the Commission of Revenue and Taxation, executive officer of the Kansas Telephone Association and as counsel for the Kansas Livestock Association until his retirement. His private law practice specialized in securities law.

During World War 11 he joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was commissioned at Mather Field, California, as a navigator in 1943. He became a flight instructor at San Marcos, Texas, and was assigned to a B29 flight crew, which spent time in Puerto Rico flying search missions over the South Atlantic. He served in the South Pacific stationed on Guam, flying B29 missions and later delivering supplies to POW camps. He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve, retiring with the rank of Colonel.

Wilbur and O'Thene Huff were married March 14, 1943, in Mulvane, Kansas. She survives. In Topeka they were long-time residents of Potwin Place. He was a member of Central Congregational Church and served on its board of trustees. He had been active in the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Bar Association, Topeka Bar Association, Military Officers Association of America, and the KU Alumni Association.

Other survivors include his daughters, Nancy Dietze, Lawrence, Kansas; Jodi Kaigh, Casper, Wyoming; and Gayle Harper, Edmonton, Alberta; grandchildren, Lawrence Dietze, and his wife, Julie, Lawrence; Rhiannon Dietze, Lawrence; Connor Harper, Cody Harper, and Charlotte Harper, Edmonton, Alberta; a brother, Alvin Leonard, Portland,
Oregon; and a sister, Elaine Vick, Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Frank Wayne and Phillip Leonard.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, July 17 at Mt. Hope Chapel. Inurnment will be in the Family Niche Chapel at Mt. Hope Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Brewster Place Employees Assistance Fund, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka 66611; Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka 66608; or The Salvation Army, 1320 SE 6th Ave, Topeka 66607.

Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.