Leonard Charles Weimar
Mar 29, 1929 -
Apr 17, 2020
Leonard Charles Weimar passed away on April 17, 2020, in Sunsites, Ariz., of natural causes; he was 91 years of age. Born on March 29, 1929, in Tacoma, Wash., he grew up on a 5-acre farm on Fern Hill. He remembered hearing over the radio President FDR "Day of Infamy" address to Congress. Told stories of the Doolittle Raiders revving up their engines and the turkeys racing the planes as the Raiders practiced their short takeoffs. His first motorcycle was a 1947 Knucklehead, he loved drag racing and was active in car clubs. Graduating from Lincoln High School in 1949, he also attended L.H. Bates Vocational Technical Institute for Diesel Mechanics. He served from 1946–1950 in the Navy Reserve and was Active Duty in Korea 1950–1951 aboard the USS Missouri BB63 and aboard the Heavy Cruiser USS Salem CA139 until his honorable discharge in 1952. A spiral fracture of tibia and fibula landed Leonard in the Chelsea Naval Hospital, where he met W.A.V.E. Mary Etta Adams. They were married in 1952, with Leslie Ann blessing their family in 1956. Leonard first traveled to Alaska in 1955, working as Chief Engineer aboard 85ft Power Barge "Unimak" tendering in Bristol Bay. He continued to work as a mechanic and machinist in both Washington and Southeast Alaska. In 1958, he took a job with Pacific American Fisheries as Port Engineer in King Cove, where he maintained vessels P/S Wrangle, M/V Pavalof, M/V Rudakoff, M/V Logger, F/V Flamingo, M/V Yankee Trader, F/V Sandra and many others he had forgotten the names of. Known for his mechanical ability, he was often asked to work on other boats in King Cove. Not knowing that her father had enlisted Leonard's services aboard the F/V Liza Jane, Matrona confronted Leonard and instructed the white man to get off the boat. He was instantly smitten with his future wife Matrona Nevzuroff and they were married in December 1959, blending the two families. February 1962, Leonard was hired as a General Mechanic working for the Federal Aviation Agency in Cold Bay. Many a hunting and fishing story about these times has been told around the kitchen table. Stories about the Cold Bay Rod & Gun Club, glass ball hunting in Izembek Bay, winning the Salmon Derby with his son David, finding a whale harpoon, seagull egg gathering, wolverine and ermine trapping, including his adventures working for the FAA clearing the runway of brown bears are just to name a few.
In 1967, Leonard corresponded with Senator Earnest Gruening and the Secretary of State regarding Russian Trawlers fishing in Alaska waters and destroying the crab and fishing gear and the lack of enforcement of the 12 mile fishing limit. This brought attention to the inadequate fines and punishment of foreign fleets fishing in Alaska waters. While in Cold Bay he was recruited to work for the University of Alaska, Institute of Marine Science as a Support Engineer for the R/V Acona. In 1968, purchasing a car sight unseen he moved the family to Douglas, to work at the Douglas Marine Station. More fishing and hunting adventure stories generated, and names are changed to protect the innocent. Adding to his adventure repertoire, he moved to Seward in 1970, to start up the new Seward Marine Station for the University of Alaska, Institute of Marine Science. Working as the Port Engineer for the research vessels R/V Acona, R/V Maybeso, R/V Ursa Minor, and the R/V Alpha Helix. Active in politics related to Alaska, the Weimar house was a spot for representatives to have a cup of coffee and to talk about hot-button topics pertaining to Seward and Alaska. Leonard was recognized for many achievements and retired from the University in 1992. His employment with the University took him from the North Pole T3 Island to Australia and many stops in between. Leonard was active in the community, he was awarded a Lifetime Membership to the Lions Club of Resurrection Bay Lions, a member of the Seward Elks Lodge 1773 and a member of Pioneers of Alaska Seward Igloos #9. A fire at Bob's Market located at 5 mile of the Seward Highway resulted in the creation of Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Leonard was asked to be the Fire Chief until one could be found, he retired as Fire Chief 15 years later. Leonard and Matrona took off as true Alaskan snowbirds traveling all over the West Coast, taking cruises through the Inside Passage, the Panama Canal and Mexico. For 11 years, the EZ2 would spend winters working on a cattle ranch in southern Arizona and making their way back to Alaska for Christmas celebrations and back again in the spring when the ruts in the driveway were down to dirt. After 45 years of marriage, Matrona passed away in October 2003. Leonard continued to snowbird and met up with friend Fedaline Healey, a retired Major with Federal Law Enforcement, and for the next 13 years they would continue to Bucket List on the go.
He was preceded in death by mother and father, Oma and Leslie Weimar; spouse, Matrona Weimar; grandson, John Leonard Ledet; and brother, Robert Weimar.
He is survived by son, David and wife Dena Nevzuroff; daughter, Leslie Earl; daughter, Patricia and husband John Ledet; daughter, Connie and husband Vance Bacon; son, Charles Weimar; grandchildren, David Nevzuroff, Darcie Nevzuroff, Raymond Ledet, Branden Elde, Blake Elde, Madelyn and husband Traye Turner, Brian and wife Kristina Weimar, Justin and wife Tricia Earl, Caleb Earl, David Jr. and wife Rebecca Earl; great-grandchildren, Brycen and Trent Turner, Lenard Ledet, Mason, Arlo and Trace Weimar, Nyah and Amara Earl; brother, Vernon and wife Darlene Weimar; brother-in-law, Sava and wife Sheila Nevzuroff; sister-in-law, Florence and husband Paul Stevens; nieces and nephews; his firefighter family; and so many others who he considered family.
A memorial service for this Korean War Veteran and the first Fire Chief of BCFSA will be held in Seward when circumstances will allow. Per their request, Matrona and Leonard's ashes will be buried in the City of Seward Cemetery at the foot of their grandson John Leonard Ledet's grave site.
