October 16, 2024
Leonard, Daniel
Daniel Leonard, Jr., 89, died on October 11, 2024 in Westwood, MA. Dan was born in Evanston, IL in 1935, the first child of Daniel Leonard II and Sarah May Morey Leonard. He grew up in Winnetka, IL at “Wildacre,” the family home. He was an Eagle Scout, graduated from New Trier High School, Amherst College and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. In 1959 he married “the most beautiful girl in Chicago,“ Elizabeth Anne Dix Chamberlain, “Betty.“ Together, they raised three children in Chicago, Winnetka, IL, Ridgewood, NJ, and finally Amherst, NH.
Dan started his career as an early computer geek in Chicago, with IBM, McKinsey & Co., and founding Teledata Corp., a pioneer in digital banking services in the 1960’s. Later, he worked for Citibank in New York City, taught at Bentley College and did management and career consulting in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Dan was open, accepting, gracious and charming. Some have described him by stating simply “he was an embrace.” He was intellectually gifted, a walking encyclopedia, and a lifetime member of Mensa. He was a lifetime learner who enjoyed studying science, poetry, history and world cultures, and experimented with composting long before it became popular. He was known as the family historian, outdoorsman and fixer-upper, with a quick wit and MANY hobbies.
Among his favorite places in the world was “Wa Awa,” the family Adirondack camp built by his grandfather, who fell in love with the site in the 1800’s. An avid woodsman, he enjoyed the mix of wilderness, time with family, tranquility and an active cocktail party schedule.
Dan was committed to family and genealogy, excited to discover new relatives, living or deceased. He and Betty enjoyed genealogical research, taking trips which they described as “going to dig up dead ancestors!“ and tracing several lines through colonial New England and dating back more than six centuries, including Charlemagne! Dan loved to welcome new family members, and at some point in the conversation, would pull a folded piece of paper and a mechanical pencil from his pocket and jot down their info for his database. He put people at ease with his warmth and signature sense of humor.
In 2014, Dan and Betty left their NH home of 40 years and moved to Fox Hill Village in Westwood. In his last days, a grandson asked him to identify the best period of his life. He responded with “Fox Hill Village! I am surrounded by great people, who care about each other. What could be better?” He participated in clubs, took (and taught) classes, wrote for The Fox and had breakfast with his “men’s breakfast group,” the highlight of his day. He approached everyone, residents and staff, with the same respect and curiosity. If someone spoke with an accent, Dan wanted to hear about their heritage and learn a few words of their language so that he could greet them properly the next time.
Our hearts are broken, but we are forever grateful for his impact on our collective lives. Dan is survived by Betty, his wife of 64 years; sister Sarah Krepp, (Carter Howard); three children, Ashley Leonard, Elizabeth “Bonnie“ Leonard (Christina Toro), Danford Leonard (Robin St. Germain); five grandchildren, Danford “Ford,” May, Anne, Ian and Christopher Leonard; a niece, Caroline Krepp O’Malley; a nephew, Charles “Chad” Krepp and several beloved godchildren.
A memorial service will be at 11:00AM on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at:
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
59 Court Street
Dedham, MA.
The Church Service will be livestreamed. It may be accessed thru the St. Paul’s Church website athttps://youtube.com/live/JmE3r51MEVghttps://youtube.com/live/JmE3r51MEVg
There will be a second memorial service in Winnetka, Illinois in the coming months where Dan’s ashes will be interred with those of his parents
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Dan to the Fox Hill Village Appreciation Fund. The fund is shared by the Fox Hill Village staff, with whom a mutual feeling of kindness and respect was shared. Checks should include a memo indicating Leonard Appreciation Donation, and sent to:
Fox Hill Village
10 Longwood Drive
Westwood, MA 02090
Comments(11)
Mr. Leonard when i met him years ago was a very nice man who was very welcoming to his son’s Dan,s idiot friends from Prep School, when we stayed at the family camp up in the adirondacks. Mr. & Mrs Leonard were extremely patient & kind. Mr. Leonard will be missed and my prayers are with his great family.
Mr. Leonard, Daniel, Big Dan, Opa – many names for the same beloved person. I treasure the memory of his introductory tour of Wa Awa, filled with history, lore, and (of course!) anecdotes. First my employer, he became my dear friend. I’ll miss his wit and sense of humor, his interest in many things great and small, and his heartfelt hugs. My life is blessed having known him. Until we meet again…
The grave itself is but a covered bridge,
Leading from light to light, through a brief darkness.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Bonnie,
I am so very sorry to hear of your dad‘s passing. I remember him as a warm, caring and charming man who always had a smile on his face anytime I saw him. I know you have many memories. Cherish them and they will help you through this difficult time.
Arleen +David
My beloved Godfather, from whom I will always aspire to be “a gentleman and a scholar.”
Warm hugs to all his family.
May the grace of God bless the Leonard family now and forever more. I have had the wonderful pleasure and privilege to call Mr. Leonard’s daughter Bonnie (Cristina) my sisters. Bonnie is just like her dad with an insatiable appetite to learn, grow, and develop lasting and meaningful friendships.
Time will heal the human brokenness, however your papa has simply ‘Gone up Yonder’ to an unspeakable joyful place. He is FREE.
When Dan married Betty it was one of the best things that ever happened in the Dix family. He was always up for a good time and a great addition to our sibling reunions. I will miss him. RIP!
Big Dan was a true gentleman in every sense of the word — and one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. He was witty and knowledgeable; quick with a joke; generous with his time and talent; and always interested in others. He welcomed so many of us to Camp in the beautiful Adirondacks…and loved seeing each of us experience the magic of Wa Awa. I feel so lucky to have known him!
Sending all of the extended Leonard family my love and support at this difficult time.
We are lucky enough to call Dan family. Oh, how lucky! We have wonderful memories of trips with them. Betty was a cousin who we embraced because everyone needs siblings! Particularly funny was the trip to Bouchard Gardens. Dan had Betty on a Walker-talkie so he wouldn’t “lose her”. Brilliant!
Perhaps like him I was named after his father and his father before him. My dad had been given his mother’s maiden name “Leonard” and I was named “Daniel Leonard.” My dad had known his maternal grandfather Daniel Leonard I and also his uncle Daniel Leonard. Dan and I both went by “Dan” and he got a kick out of the fact that we had the same name “Daniel Leonard”(except of course I was a Casselberry). He gifted me with an aging Bible that had a family history. It was given to Harriet Leonard Leonard by her father Daniel Leonard January 1894 and 51 years later it was left at the family Camp Waawa by Harriet’s husband John R. Leonard. Dan thought it appropriate that I have this family relic since I was a Christian minister. My parents were quite fond of Dan and Betty and they enjoyed their visits together. Blessings to all who mourn his passing.
Dear Bonnie (and Chris) I’m so very sorry for your loss of your dad. Chris shared your dad’s obituary with us; what a beautiful story. I felt like I knew him after reading the obituary. And it’s no wonder why you’re you; you come from great genes. Wishing you and your family peace and comfort.
It has been my good fortune to have known Dan since early in high school. Their home in Winnetka wild Acre was always welcoming and his mother, a second mother for all of us. A pet skunk on the back porch, I kind of clubroom in the basement called the black cat room where we were always welcome. we separated for college, but stayed in touch. Sally‘s debut brought us all back together again. What a fantastic set of parties that was. When Dan married, Betty inspired us to do the same.. High school reunions occasional trips to the Adirondacks and never-ending computer messages have kept the friendship fresh.. Our prayers and best wishes to Betty and the family he truly was one of a kind. Love, Mike and Laura