Robert Gordon Leek - Obituary

obert "Bob" Gordon Leek died on Thursday, August 25, 2016, in Pasadena, MD. He had been a resident of Laurel for 45 years before moving to Heritage Harbor in Annapolis in 2005. He was 90. A native of Philadelphia, he was the son of Irene and Nelson H. Leek, Sr. A graduate of Germantown High School there, he was an active Boy Scout and leader attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Infantry trained in WWII, he was a Staff Sgt. in Military Government in the occupation of Korea. After graduation from the University of Pennsylvania with a Zoology Major, he was employed by the United States Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, MD. There he was a Parasitologist engaged in protozoan parasitic disease research in livestock at the Parasitology Institute where he was also collateral duty laboratory and personnel safety officer. After moving to Maryland he continued his scouting participation in Prince George's County where he served in several capacities including District Vice Chairman, Assistant District Commissioner, and Unit Commissioner. For "Distinguished Service to Boyhood" he was honored with the Silver Beaver Award, the District Award of Merit, Distinguished Commissioner, and Distinguished Scouter awards. Subsequent to retirement in 1984, he and his wife Jean traveled extensively. With a group of "concerned citizens," he participated in getting the construction of the Fairland Aquatic Center, which opened in 1992. As a volunteer for the American Red Cross, he taught CPR classes to numerous citizens, including City of Laurel employees. Also an aquatics instructor, he taught adult swimming classes at Howard Community College and children's lessons at summer camp programs at the Laurel Municipal Swimming Pool. He has trained countless lifeguards over the past 30 years. Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Jean R. Leek, and his brother, Nelson H. Leek, Jr. Survivors include his daughter, Gail S. Klakring (Jeffrey), and grandsons Tyler and Andrew of Davidsonville, nieces Constance Wiese (Henry) and Nancy Hajna (Ronald). At his request, there will be no viewing or memorial service. A chapel service will be held at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville on Friday, September 9 at 11:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the following: National Capital Area Council BSA, 9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814,the Colonial Williamsburg Fdn., Fifes & Drums, P.O. Box 1776, Williamsburg, VA 23187, the American Red Cross Tribute Fund, P.O. Box 97089, Washington, D.C. 20090 or Hospice of Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena, MD 21122. Online condolences and tributes may be left by visiting the link on this page.