Obituary
Neil William LeKander, 82, passed away on October 23, 2022 in Smith River, California. He was born in West Chicago, Illinois on September 7, 1940. Neil and his wife Patricia lived in Del Norte County for 15 years.
Neil and Patricia would have been married 57 years on December 4, 2022. They were married in Palo Alto, CA at St. Ann Chapel. Patricia is having trouble imaging life without him here, but she knows he is with his family and friends in Heaven. Their priest, Father Justus, visited Smith River with Neil twice in his last weeks of life here to give him the Sacrament for the Sick and Communion.
He attended Salpointe High School, Tucson, AZ; then later at Northrup Institute of Technology A & P License and Pilot's License and eventually Kent State University where Neil received his Aerospace Engineering degree.
In high School, he was the sports photographer also took candid shots for the local Tucson newspaper and the yearbook. Neil stayed interested in photography and developed his own film and printed photos for many years.
Neil's employment included working with his dad, Russell LeKander, at his company Russ Plumbing; United Air Lines Air frame and Power plant mechanic; Chief Mechanic on Goodyear Blimp Columbia N2A Southern California; Goodyear Aerospace 31 years District Manager. After he retired, Neil wrote six books for Aircraft Braking Systems (formerly Goodyear Aerospace) “Guides to Exceptional Aircraft Maintenance."
Neil enjoyed cars. He built a hot rod starting when he was about 12 years old with the help of his dad. He took it to Bonneville Raceway with two friends and raced it there. Neil had a Red Corvette when Patricia met him. Later they bought a 1919 Model T Depot Hack. Neil and Patricia had a 1949 Jeepster and were active in the Mid-West Jeepster Club when they lived in Wisconsin.
Neil and Patricia bought their first motor home in 1974 and had one ever since. They are Lifetime members of the Escapees RV Club. Neil is the author of "The RVER'S Ultimate Survival Guide" about how to live and travel in an RV safely. He also helped develop the Escapees RV’ers Boot Camp and thoroughly enjoyed being a seminar speaker at RV rallies. Neil also helped develop the SmartWeigh program for weighing RV's for the Escapees Club.
Neil loved wood and metal working and working around their place. He was definitely an engineer and wanted to find out how things worked. Neil is known for his braid. He loved entertaining and in Missouri they had a yearly pig roast with their neighbors, friends, and family. Neil and Patricia enjoyed having parties under the trees by the Smith River that runs in front of their home on the way around the sand spit to the ocean.
Neil's family and the community were very important to him.
They have many friends from living in different parts of this wonderful country that they have kept in contact with. Neil and Patricia have many R.V. friends as well that will miss him. Their local friends, many members of our "Thursday Lunch Bunch" have been here for them during this difficult time and are still helping Patricia whenever she needs help or company. She would be lost without them. Patricia would like to give special thanks to the caring staff at Sutter Coast Home Care and the staff at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City, CA.
Their son, Brett Alan and granddaughter Lily Ann LeKander flew here from Iowa three times while Neil was fighting cancer. At this time, Neil's brother Lawrence and Lois LeKander family were a great help. Dr. Gary and Rhonda LeKander; Debra and Evan Garber and Dan and Miranda LeKander. They opened their homes to them when Neil was in Sutter Hospital in Sacramento and visited Neil while he was here at there home in Smith River. Neil's sister Mary Ann and Don's family also offered loving help when they were in Portland, OR. His nieces Anne Marie and Shaun Deitering/Huston; Kathy and Brian Shoemaker; Debbie Deitering, and Diane Deitering. The Deitering nieces were with Neil the morning he passed from this life to Heaven. Neil will be missed by his sister-in-law Lois LeKander and his brother-in-law Neal Randles and his wife Debi Randles. Neil will also be missed by his many Chicago Daleiden relatives.
Neil was predeceased by his son, Douglas Joseph LeKander; their son Brett's wife DeAnna R. LeKander; Neil's parents Russell V. LeKander and Frances E. LeKander; his dad’s wife Betty LeKander; Neil's brother Dr. Lawrence M. LeKander; Neil's nephew David LeKander.
Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation in Neil's name, please donate to Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 820 Old Country Road, Brookings, OR 97415