Robert M. Leopard

Robert M. Leopard passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Mercy Memorial Hospital in Urbana. He was born on March 4, 1944, in Urbana, the son of Edward and Eva (Prather) Leopard.

Bob graduated from Urbana High School in 1963. He played first string football all four years of high school having achieved a spot each year on the All–CBL Squad. He was very talented on roller skates and could be found skating at many area rinks. His love for football continued throughout his life and he was also a bowling enthusiast, having bowled for many years in Urbana, St. Paris and Springfield. In his spare time and up until very recently, Bob completed many jigsaw puzzles. He always enjoyed going to the grandchildren’s activities and vacationing anywhere he and Shirley wanted to go. After he could no longer bowl, he would show his 1923 Model T at car shows in the surrounding counties and won many trophies. In 2019 he was invited to show at Keeneland Raceway in Lexington, KY. He also showed at Carillion Park in Dayton several times.

Bob retired from Navistar International in 1999 with 30 years of service. He could not be idle so he started a mowing business and had many faithful customers in Urbana for several years.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley (Wise Brown), whom he married on July 4, 1993, in Gatlinburg, TN where they enjoyed many vacations with family & friends.

Also surviving are stepsons, Mark and Missy Brown, Aaron Brown and Melissa Laughman and Scott and Michael Brown; a “special son”, Pete (Flora) Blameuser and his family; grandchildren, Dylan, Drew, Lana, and Carly Leopard; step-grandchildren, Reagan and Preston Brown, Marleigh (Nathan) Collins, Myles Brown, Taylor (Nick) Doyle and Kalista Joyce (Chris Robinson), Elias (Sophia) Joyce and Brennen Barnett; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Leopard and Joyce Leopard; nieces and nephews, Randy (Tia) Leopard, Susan (Roger) Tehan, Kendra (Troy) Roberts, Tim, Sherry and Angie Leopard.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his stepfather, Albert Lee Zirkle; infant daughter, Winifred Mae; his son, Anthony Wayne; and brothers, Frank Leopard and Doug Leopard.

Bob’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mohammed Khan who has taken care of Bob for 30 years, the Urbana Emergency Room staff, Dr. Wade Smith, nurses, Sandy, Jackie, Jennie and Missy, hospice nurse, Hailey and hospice aide, Katie.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 4-7p.m. at Walter & Lewis Funeral Home with service on Thursday, March 27 at 10a.m. also at funeral home. Burial will follow at Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield. Donations to the Urbana Fire Dept. can be made in Bob’s honor to 107 E. Market St. Urbana, OH 43078. In the memo line, please write Trust Fund in Memory of Robert Leopard. Condolences may be expressed to his family by visiting www.walterfunerals.com.