Gordon S. Leonard

    Dr. Gordon S. Leonard, 78, of Naples, FL and Milwaukee, WI, passed away December 29, 2017 in Naples, FL. He was born February 12, 1939, in Lyons, KS to Dr. Roosevelt and Ferne (Miller) Leonard. He was a supervisor for the psychology department at the Milwaukee Public Schools for 45 years and also taught psychology at Cardinal Stritch College and MATC. Dr. Leonard graduated from Lyons, KS high school in 1957. He then attended and graduated from Kansas University in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1963, and a PhD in 1979 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Gordon loved spending the winter months in Florida at Lake San Marino and he enjoyed attending their Community Church.  

            Dr. Leonard married Lois VanLiew in 1961 and they were together for 38 years. He is survived by his partner, Jan Verburgt of Menomonee Falls, WI and Naples, FL, by his two daughters; Michele Leonard of Topeka, KS, and Valerie Quest and partner, Jean-Pierre Salazar of Austin, TX.

           A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with inurnment following in Lyons Municipal Cemetery.

            If you would like to make a donation, the family requests they be sent to KU- Endowment fund, Naples Humane Society or Friends of Animals Rice County c/o Birzer Funeral Home, 214 West Avenue South, Lyons, KS 67554

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