July 26, 1930 - April 16, 2017
Leon Wilbert Baechler - Leon W. Baechler died surrounded by family in Spokane Valley, Washington, at the age of 86 on April 16, 2017. He is survived by his three sons, Charles Arthur (Stephanie) of Watertown, SD, John Rae (Diana) of Rathdrum, ID, and Michael David (Estella) of Irapuato, Mexico, as well as his former wife and lifelong friend Mary Irene Baechler with whom he shared the love of numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Leon was born on July 26, 1930 in Wellington, Colorado, to Louis and Rose Baechler. A child of the Great Depression, he and his four siblings were raised at Saint Clara’s orphanage in Denver, Colorado. He later served his country in the Korean war as a radio operator under the command of General Stanton Ridgeway where he routinely received and conveyed logistical orders from General Douglas Macarthur, stationed on Okinawa. Leon married and raised his family in Brighton, Colorado, in a home designed and built entirely with his own two hands. Leon was a skilled mechanic and later an apple orchardist. He will always be remembered for his love of all things mechanical, as well as countless inventions built for his own use without thought of selling them for commercial gain. Aside from working with his hands, Leon’s interests included science, reading, spiritual exploration, hiking and fishing. A wholly humble and private man for whom family was everything, Leon did not request or desire a traditional funeral service. Instead, his ashes will be spread from his favorite fishing rock by his sons and family at Upper Rainbow Lake in Walden, Colorado.
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