Joseph William Leopold
12/29/1926 – 2/22/2015
Joseph William Leopold passed away peacefully at Lighthouse Memory Care in Anacortes on Sunday, February 22nd with family at his side. Joe was 88, courageously battling Alzheimer’s for three years. A native of Seattle, Joe was born in 1926 to parents Peter and Clara, and lived a vital and vibrant life.
Joe served in the U.S. Army during WWII, and on the G.I. Bill he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from USC, and later he earned his Master’s in Education from the University of Washington.
Joe was devoted to his first wife, Sarah, until her passing in 1986. Joe taught U.S. History and Political Science at Shoreline High School. He also had a passion for aviation, and especially for outdoor recreation, holding a 4-digit membership # from R.E.I. Joe was involved in the Mountaineers Club in climbing (multiple ascents of Mt. Rainier), and also led 100-mile hikes in the Olympic Mountains. But skiing endured as his favorite well into his 80’s, having taught skiing at Snoqualmie Summit and later at Stevens Pass.
Another of his passions was RV’ing, first with a 10 foot camper, Rocinante (named after Don Quixote’s horse) that carried the family around the entire U.S. one summer; later graduating to a 5th Wheel Trailer and then finally a Motorhome. In between, Joe enjoyed partnerships in both a sailboat and a motor yacht. Joe loved the clear mountain air and the salty sea, and spent a lifetime finding trails, routes, and passages that afforded ample amounts of both.
Joe also enjoyed music and was a talented dancer, and was a voracious reader of books and newspapers. His father was a machinist, and while Joe followed a different career path, he was a near-compulsive tinkerer, was extremely well organized, and could while away endless hours in his garage on projects and repairs. His sister Fern inspired Joe to pursue his life-long passions of hiking and skiing; gifts that Joe has passed on to three more generations of Leopold’s.
Joe is survived by his 2nd wife Rachel, two sons from his first marriage, Scott (of Renton) and Mark (of Anacortes); beloved daughter-in-law Peggy; 5 grandchildren (Matt, David, Sarah, Nicole, and Emily); 5 great-grandchildren (Harley, Gabriella, Olivia, Katherine, and Lydia); and adoring older sister Fern Leopold (of Mt. Vernon). Joe was a devoted husband, father, and brother, and enjoyed the camaraderie of the friendships made from his wide range of activities as much as the passion from those hobbies. Joe’s good nature and quick smile will be missed by so many he touched in a life well lived. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.