Roy, Sheila Leonard had hearts of gold

In 1990 I had the distinct privilege to join Roy and Sheila Leonard on one of their tours. They were known for their terrific trips, and when I read that they were going to Amsterdam, I signed up. I went on the tour by myself. Traveling with the Leonards, I never felt alone or left out. There were only nineteen of us, not including Roy and his wife. Before we left, they had all of us to their home, to meet them and get acquainted with our fellow travelers.

That was just the first of many extraordinary kindnesses that they bestowed on us. As one of Roy's sons, Kyle, said in his article about his father the other day, kindness means a lot more than you realize. Roy and Sheila could not have been nicer. I recall one evening when another lady and I were walking through the town square when Roy saw us. There were no set dinner plans for that evening, so he asked us if we would like to join him for supper. And we did, and were thrilled at all the wonderful stories Roy shared with us. But he did not monopolize the conversation. Quite the opposite, as he asked us both questions about ourselves and made us comfortable.

A few months after our trip, one of the women invited everyone to her home in Palatine, including Roy and Sheila. And although not everyone made it, the Leonards did! That is the type of people they were. We all know what a treasure Roy Leonard was on the radio and television. And I feel honored to have been able to meet and get to know him a bit. A true gentleman, he was filled with a spirit of adventure and good will and concern for others.

Barbara Kohn

Palatine