Longtime Clarion University Head Athletic Trainer Robert Emmett Leonard has passed away.

Leonard, 85, of Shippenville, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, April 15, 2019.

Born July 6, 1933 in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the son of the late William and Matilda Leonard.

Bob retired from Clarion University where he was an Associate Professor of Health & Physical Education. He also served as the school’s head athletic trainer for 20 years where he was better known as “Doc” by athletes, coaches and friends.

Leonard was inducted into the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Bob also spent many years working part-time for the Clarion County Visiting Nurse Association as a Physical Therapist.

He was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion.

Bob loved to sing and was a member of the church choir, the Clarion Community Choir and spent many years as part of the NBC Barbershop Chorus with his buddy Ralph McNutt. Bob also loved to play golf and travel. He was a U.S. Army Veteran.

Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruth Helen. They were married on July 2, 1955 in Cincinnati. Bob fondly recalled that they were married for 56 years, 7 months and 27 days before Ruth’s passing in 2012.

Bob and Ruth were proud parents of two children, Kathleen Pasquarette and her husband Chip of Enola and Michael Leonard and his wife Wendy of Kansas City, MO. They were also proud grandparents to Kevin Pasquarette (Samantha) of Mequon, WI, Meghan Pasquarette (Joe) of King George, VA, Ryan Leonard of Hughesville and Madison Leonard of Pittsburgh.

Bob was also preceded in death by his brother, William Leonard and a sister Jeanne Demaree both of Cincinnati. He is also survived by his loving sister, Ann Russell of Silverdale WA.

Also surviving is his friend and companion Judi Gardner and long-time friend Joanne Lair.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org), or the Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurse Association, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion PA 16214 (www.cfvna.org).

Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street in Clarion, where visitation will be held on Monday, April 22 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a Christian Wake service at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 715 Main Street in Clarion at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23, with Rev. Monty Sayers officiating. Interment will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Clarion.

Online condolences may be sent here.