Obituary of Fred Leser

Frederick Aloise Leser was born on November 6, 1923, in Germantown, PA, to Caroline Hess Leser and Frederick Leser Sr. Fred attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C. and then spent his freshman year at the University of Texas where he played on the offensive line for the Longhorns in 1941. He left Texas to join the Army Signal Corps in 1942 and was stationed in Neuendettelsau, Germany, a town he returned to later in life. After the war he finished his electrical engineering degree at Penn State.Fred spent the majority of his career with National Linen Company. He lived primarily in Atlanta, but also lived in Cherry Hill, NJ, St. Louis, and Chicago (3 times). Retirement years were spent in Marietta, GA, where he was a member of the Indian Hills Country Club and Trinity Presbyterian Church. An avid golfer, one of the highlights of his life was playing in a tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club where he won first place and low net. He remembered every detail of the Augusta course from that time on. Fred also played in 33 Georgia Senior golf tournaments after he retired. Retirement also brought many wonderful trips on river cruises throughout Europe and a trip to Australia and New Zealand.After moving to Eugene in 2007 to be closer to his daughter and stepdaughters, Fred enjoyed many years playing bridge at the Green House, Emerald Bridge Club, and with the Grumpy Old Men. He was an ice hockey fanatic, spending hours a day in his Eugene home watching the hockey channel and cheering primarily for the Atlanta/Winnipeg Thrashers.We salute Fred, a devoted family man, proud Army veteran, avid golfer and amateur radio enthusiast, for a life well lived. His callsign, K7FAL, is now a silent key. We will forever see a yellow cashmere sweater and be reminded of our beloved Fred.Fred is survived by his wife of 18 years, Cornelia Schwab Leser; his daughter Kimberly Lanier (Eric) and grandsons Brian and Spencer of Newberg, OR; his son-in-law Didier Stom and grandson Alex of Reston, VA; stepdaughter Connie Wonham (Harry) and Emory, Grant and Walker of Eugene; stepdaughter Catherine DeMane (Michael) and Anne, Emma, Laura and Sarah of Minneapolis, MN; stepdaughter Caroline Quarles (Miles Atchison) of Portland; and his brother and sister-in-law Conrad and Kathy Schwab of Scottsdale, AZ. Fred was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Beverly Anne Gallagher, his daughter Wendy Bevin Leser, and his daughter Sarah Bartow Stom.No service is planned. A private family gathering will be held at a later date at King Estate, his favorite destination in Eugene. Musgrove Family Mortuaries is in charge of arrangements.