Leathers, Robert Lee

Robert Lee Leathers, 85, of Peak Creek Rd., Newbern, died Monday, February 20, 2006 in the New River Valley Medical Center, Radford.

Born in Cisne, Illinois on January 16, 1921, he was the oldest of ten children born to Pearl G. and Lillie Brown Leathers. Robert was also preceded in death by three brothers, Bill, Jerry and Jack.

Dr. Leathers received his M.S. degree from the University of Chicago and his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University in 1964, after which he accepted a position of Professor of Education at Radford University, where he taught for 23 years and was awarded Professor Emeritus in 1966.

While an undergraduate at SIU he was president of the sophomore class, a member of the gymnastic team and member of Southern Knights, a service organization.

He enlisted in the army October 1942 and was called to active duty April 3, 1943. He was stationed in Ft. McClellan, Ala. before being deployed overseas with the 45th Infantry Division. While there, he received the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal WWII, Purple Heart, GO122HQ45 Inf. Div24, American Campaign Ribbon, four Bronze Stars, one Service Stripe and two Service Bars. He was wounded in action in Germany near Nuremburg on April 17, 1945.

Surviving are wife of 64 years, Bonita Walter Leathers; two daughters and husbands, Sharon and Mike Oestreicher, Connie and John Jordan; six sisters and husbands, Loreta Shelton, Bonita and Cliff Lowe, Betty Ellis, Shirley Stevens, Jeanne Leathers, Donna and Dee Thompson; two grandsons, John and Jennifer Sledd, Robert Jordan; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 10 a.m. from the Dublin Christian Church with Minister Eddie Callahan officiating. Entombment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens Mausoleum with graveside military rites conducted by VFW Post 1184.

Visitation will be Friday after 4 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials be made to the Dublin Christian Church Building Fund.