John Warner Leech
February 2, 1933 — January 26, 2016
John Warner Leech
John Warner Leech died peacefully on January 26, 2016. He was 82.
John Warner Leech was born on February 2, 1933, in Jamaica, New York. He was the only and cherished son of Flora Teresa Warner and John Holdridge Dewey Leech. He attended The Hackley School (1951) where he pursued his interest in photography (which was good), and chemistry (which was bad because he notoriously built a rather sophisticated bomb which blew up a large stone fountain on the campus). After Hackley, he attended Williams College (1955). At Williams, his super powers in both math and science attracted the attention of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. John attended MIT and earned both a masters of science (Aeronautical Engineering -1958) and a doctorate (Aeronautics/Astronautics -1967).
John had a varied and interesting career. Under President Carter he worked for the Department of Energy Research and Development, he taught mathematics at Boston University, and later he worked in the Industrial Liaison Program at MIT.
He loved and owned a few fast, fun, and sassy cars (like the Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite, two (extremely practical) beige VW busses (one right after the other), and a dark green MGB and – as a young man – John often flew a small plane he had purchased somewhat unexpectedly after having at least one drink too many at a bar. A gentleman's gentleman, John was an accomplished and classically trained pianist who always had a tuned piano in his home.
In 1966 he married Arlene Normandie who managed a lab at MIT, and the two of them were totally devoted to one another. Never apart, they became quite a duo. Instead of calling her Arlene, he called her 'Sweet'. Even when the inevitable and significant hardships of aging encroached on their romance, John stubbornly cared for Arlene – his 'Sweet' – with courage, tenderness, patience, and pragmatism.
Though not a cook (and by that I mean he could barely operate the faucet), John made the very best Welsh rarebit that you have ever tasted. John appreciated the magic of a very cold beer, he tipped well, he never met a stranger, and he loved a good joke.
John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Arlene Normandie Leech. Also surviving him are two daughters from a previous marriage, Katharine Baker-Carr (Brookline, MA); and Harriet Roberts (Memphis, TN); one son-in-law, Stephen Roberts; and one grandson, Matthew Roberts. He is also survived by Jon Richardson (San Juan, PR), Teresina Hueso (San Diego, CA), and a number of nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Susan King Ecklund, RN, CMC; The Courville of Nashua; and Home Health and Hospice Care for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to The Hackley School, 293 Benedict Avenue, Tarrytown, NY 10591 (perhaps they will replace the fountain); The Alzheimer's Association, The American Cancer Society; or the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are private.
John Warner Leech was born on February 2, 1933, in Jamaica, New York. He was the only and cherished son of Flora Teresa Warner and John Holdridge Dewey Leech. He attended The Hackley School (1951) where he pursued his interest in photography (which was good), and chemistry (which was bad because he notoriously built a rather sophisticated bomb which blew up a large stone fountain on the campus). After Hackley, he attended Williams College (1955). At Williams, his super powers in both math and science attracted the attention of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. John attended MIT and earned both a masters of science (Aeronautical Engineering -1958) and a doctorate (Aeronautics/Astronautics -1967).
John had a varied and interesting career. Under President Carter he worked for the Department of Energy Research and Development, he taught mathematics at Boston University, and later he worked in the Industrial Liaison Program at MIT.
He loved and owned a few fast, fun, and sassy cars (like the Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite, two (extremely practical) beige VW busses (one right after the other), and a dark green MGB and – as a young man – John often flew a small plane he had purchased somewhat unexpectedly after having at least one drink too many at a bar. A gentleman's gentleman, John was an accomplished and classically trained pianist who always had a tuned piano in his home.
In 1966 he married Arlene Normandie who managed a lab at MIT, and the two of them were totally devoted to one another. Never apart, they became quite a duo. Instead of calling her Arlene, he called her 'Sweet'. Even when the inevitable and significant hardships of aging encroached on their romance, John stubbornly cared for Arlene – his 'Sweet' – with courage, tenderness, patience, and pragmatism.
Though not a cook (and by that I mean he could barely operate the faucet), John made the very best Welsh rarebit that you have ever tasted. John appreciated the magic of a very cold beer, he tipped well, he never met a stranger, and he loved a good joke.
John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Arlene Normandie Leech. Also surviving him are two daughters from a previous marriage, Katharine Baker-Carr (Brookline, MA); and Harriet Roberts (Memphis, TN); one son-in-law, Stephen Roberts; and one grandson, Matthew Roberts. He is also survived by Jon Richardson (San Juan, PR), Teresina Hueso (San Diego, CA), and a number of nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Susan King Ecklund, RN, CMC; The Courville of Nashua; and Home Health and Hospice Care for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to The Hackley School, 293 Benedict Avenue, Tarrytown, NY 10591 (perhaps they will replace the fountain); The Alzheimer's Association, The American Cancer Society; or the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are private.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Warner Leech, please visit our flower store.
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