R Leuning

Dr. R. Glenn Leuning, born October 20, 1918, to John and Inez (Hedges) Leuning, peacefully passed away April 3, 2020. Retired educator. College professor and administrator. Life member MENSA. Faculty emeritus, Chabot College, Hayward, CA. Administrative staff, Chabot College. National Association Teachers of Singing, emeritus. Member American Humanist Association. State licensed counselor. WWII veteran, South Pacific and Europe. Around the world traveler. Survived by generational nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, sister, Hazel Silvers, and brothers Ernest, Elwood, Stanley. Cremation. No service. Our Uncle, Great Uncle, and Great Grand Uncle Glenn was an uncle above and beyond greatness to our family. Uncle Glenn was our patriarch and historian. He kept us in sync and connected to family before us. He had many roles and was an esteemed lifetime member of the organizations he valued. He never married, and never stayed anywhere longer than three days. It was a rule he abided by and was never one to wear out his welcome. To our family, he was a man of many talents. Foremost, he was a genius. He was a conversationalist. He beheld a wealth of knowledge and took a keen interest in all facets of society, cultures, and religions. Vocabulary was a passion. He was a gifted writer with a distinct style, unique and his alone. He took pleasure in submitting thought-provoking editorials to the Yakima Herald, limited to a letter every three months. His reflections were complex, and occasionally adhered to fundamentalism, mankind, society, religion, and humanity. His letters stretched our awareness of the world and, often we’d run for the dictionary or googled definitions. He emailed almost daily. We’d phone and he’d share his latest editorial. He enjoyed feedback and often elicited responses from non-supporters of his most recent missive. His writing could be interpreted and misinterpreted, and there alone was his pleasure. Some offenders labeled his editorials as pompous and arrogant. He’d counter the aggressor with dimwitted and imbecile rhetoric. Our uncle could enter a room and increase the level of intellect, the energy, humor, and sometimes, blood pressures. He commanded this magic, even at 100, and 101. He was an accomplished vocalist and concert pianist, and entertained and captivated us at many social gatherings and events. He was compassionate, opinionated, but not judgmental. He questioned everything and everyone. People prayed for him. Our uncle lived a modest and humble life. He was a bachelor with a forever invisible housekeeper. He collected stray pets on his daily walk to the post office and Buena Library. He drove until he should not have been driving. He was devoted to his meals at El Porton where he was Tio Ramon. He also frequented The Old Warehouse in Zillah. He was a benefactor and bequest educational scholarships. He was fiercely independent and refuted assistance until he neared 100 years. His last year and a half at the Toppenish Nursing & Rehab Center, he flourished with the care he received. He took delight in his visit to JBell Winery, Knights Hill, Buena Heights, his family home and birthplace. He shared that at his departure from this life, his final social gathering, he wished for no green beans. No green bean casserole, no green bean salad, no green beans. The Family of Dr. Raymond Glenn Leuning will honor him at a gathering of family and friends at a date to be determined at JBell Winery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of R Leuning, please visit our flower store.