Obituary of Richard Lloyd Leitch

Richard Leitch was born to Lloyd Richardson Leitch and Marie Maher (Welte) Leitch in Hillsboro, Oregon, on August 23, 1934. His father was employed by the Forest Service and worked the CC Camps. Rich traveled to numerous areas and developed his love of hunting and travel. Rich received his high school education at Gonzaga Prep and graduated from Gonzaga University in 1957. He earned a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Washington in 1963. He met Joanne Gray of Coulee Dam, Washington, at Gonzaga; they married in 1958 and began their military travels in Fontainebleau, France. Exercising his MSW, he worked for Catholic Charities, the State of Washington, and in private practice. His Army career included NATO as an Instructor for Command and General Staff College, Deputy Director of Personnel at ARPERCEN, Inspector General with the 96th ARCOM, and Senior Reserve Component Advisor to I-Corps, Fort Lewis. He retired as a colonel from Fort Lewis in 1987. Rich is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joanne, and by their five children and nine grandchildren. He also leaves two sisters, Michelle Harlow of Spokane, Washington, and Marcie (Greg) Kleisath of Marysville, Washington; a brother, Martin Welte of Seattle, Washington; and a large and loved extended family of aunts, his brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. His surviving and deeply admired children are: Bridget Steinhart, and husband, Bill, of St. Louis, Missouri; Lt. Col. Timothy Leitch, and wife, Robin, of Woodbridge, Virginia; Maj. Kevin Leitch, and wife, Julia, of Santa Barbara, California; Michael Leitch, and wife, Noriko, of Spokane, Washington; and Megan Kovanen ,and husband, Dan, of Wenatchee, Washington. Over a span of a well-lived life of 79 years, Rich fine-tuned his love of family, steelhead fishing and travel. His Memorial Mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Olympia; date/time to be determined. His remains will rest at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. Rich will receive full military honors at interment, and a Presidential acknowledgment of his military service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or to his: Joanne Gray Leitch and Josef E. Gray Education Fund, c/o Sue Palmer, Nespelem Public School, PO Box 291, Nespelem, WA 99155 Please leave memories of Rich or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.