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In Memoriam ~ Leon Tauscher ’65

Leon James Tauscher ’65

Born: June 3, 1947 Millidore, Wisconsin | Died: July 9, 2017 Denver Hospice

Leon’s death was unexpected and the result of elective surgery complications.
Leon was born into a large family, the youngest of 12 children. The family lived on a farm and Leon’s young life was filled with chickens, pigs, cows, and haying, while playing with his baby playmate Helen, (Ann’s firstborn). He developed an appreciation for nature that was to last a lifetime. It was in nature, wandering the fields and woodlands of the farm, that Leon found solace and peace, and realized at the age of 5, that his life was to be a spiritual journey. At that tender age, he experienced a profound shift in consciousness.

Parents: Dora and George Tauscher – deceased, Auburndale, Wi.

Siblings surviving Leon and (**surviving spouse) or (*deceased spouse): Gladys Kobishop (**Harlan ), Laurene Braunsky (**Jerry), Agnes Link (** Fritz), Father Don OSB, Doris (Jackson) Tauscher.

Siblings that Pre-deceased Leon : Ann Rudy (* Fred), Norbert Tauscher ( * Dorothy), Rita Pongratz (**Robert Pongratz), Dr. Mary Tauscher, Raymond Tauscher, Dennis Tauscher, (**Dianne Tauscher).

With 12 children in the family, there was quite a range of ages; there were groups of children, and some out of the house before Leon was born. Leon spoke often of ‘his group’ of siblings, those children closest in age to him: Doris, Don and Dennis. He spoke often of how close he was to these siblings. He described being forever grateful to Father Don for the opportunity to attend St. John’s Prep, which Father Don facilitated. It was a life changing experience, and paved the way for him to go on to college there. Leon described his older sisters as loving caregivers, and specifically, Gladys, as his sweet ‘nanny’.

Leon’s Higher Education:
St. John’s University, BA, Psychology, Cum Laude. Georgia Tech University, MA, Organizational Psychology, Summa Cum Laude
While at St. John’s, Leon met and married Joan Miller in 1968. Leon and Joan had 3 children. Right after graduating from St. John’s University, Leon entered the Air Force. Soon thereafter he was sent to South East Asia, and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Careers:
United States Air Force- Capt. – 15 years
Sales & Services / Marketing; Ecolab – 18 years
Healing Arts: Leon has studied & become certified, Master Level Reiki, and Attunement – Member of Attunement Guild.
The focus of Leon’s life was his family – his wife, children and grandchildren. He delighted in their successes. Of all his roles Leon fulfilled, the one he enjoyed the most was that of ‘grandpa’.

Marriage:
1995 – Married Margaret Elizabeth Leighton – son Tyler
Service: Private, immediate family
Contributions: Leon loved his animals, especially his 2 dogs. Please consider giving to ASPCA in his memory.