Obituary of Donald W. Leslie

Donald W. Leslie, 73, of State College, died Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at his residence. Born December 29, 1942 in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Donald E. and Harriette Wilmot Leslie. He Married Judith Bogar in 1967 and they had two daughters, after being single for 14 years, he married Linda Swanger, on August 14, 1998, who survives at home. He is survived by two children, Robin E. Cunningham and her husband, Clay, of College Station, Tx, Kristen L. Fletcher and her husband, Neil, of Bellefonte, two step children, Brianne C. Slane, of State College, Sean T. Slane and his wife, Heather, of Durham, N.C., a brother, Dennis O. Leslie, of Bellefonte and eight grandchildren, Cade, Payton, Nicholas, Reese, Sydney, Kaylin, Margaret and Katherine. He was a 1960 graduate of Vandergrift High School. He graduated from Penn State University in 1965 with a bachelor's degree, and then received a master's degree from the University of Michigan in Landscape Architecture. Donald returned to his alma-mater in 1971 to begin a teaching position with full expectation of returning to private practice within a few years. In 2009, Don retired after 38 continuous years with the University. He remembers that his first boss in private practice reminded him to "always give something back to the community in which you reside or work". That reminder guided Don's commitment to his various volunteer activities during his entire life. Volunteer activities included: Patton Twp Parks and Recreation Authority; Board Member Central PA Festival of the Arts; Advisor to the USG Academic Assembly; Chair of the University Hearing Board, Office of Student Conduct,; Member of the University Faculty Senate; Chair of the Forest Edge Condo Association; Chair of the Greenwich Hill Condo Association; former President of Trinity Lutheran Church Council; President of the Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects; Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee of ASLA, Parliamentarian of the Board of Trustees of ASLA; and numerous committees within the University. Donald also received many awards over the years including the Shirley Hendricks Awards for Leadership in Outreach; the Arts and Architecture Alumni Achievement Award; the Presidents Medal from ASLA; elected Fellow of ASLA and in a national election was elected President of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Donald taught Landscape Architecture for 23 years prior to being named Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Outreach in the College of Arts and Architecture and Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, State College. He enjoyed his retirement years with travel, spending time with his children and grandchildren and collecting and restoring vintage fountain pens. Visitation will be 2 until 5 p.m., on Sunday, March 20, 2016, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, March 21, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2221 N. Oak Lane, State College with the Reverend Ronald Miller officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Centre County Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Lung Association, In memory of Donald W. Leslie, Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 7000, Albert Lea, MN 56007-8001. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.