Ronald James Leonard, 67, of Stafford County died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Leona R. Leonard.
Mr. Leonard was born in Cuba, N. Y., on Aug. 17, 1939, a son of Margaret and Roy Leonard. He received his master's degree in mechanical engineering, but the majority of his work experience centered in the biomedical engineering field. Mr. Leonard is credited with many patents, including a fuel cell that traveled to the moon. Most of his patents were for membrane oxygenators used in open heart surgery. In his retirement years he did consulting work.
He is also survived by three daughters, Karen Gwirtsman and her husband, Harry, Susan Steyert and her husband, David, and Dawn Rom and her husband, Einar; a sister, Sandra DeWoody; and six grandchildren, Shoshana, Elana, Joshua, Vivian, Marilyn and Josiah.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, Stafford Chapel, officiated by Pastor Einar Rom and Pastor Garland Day. Interment will be held at a later date in Central Square, N.Y.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contribution be made to the School of Engineering at Clarkson University, c/o Development Office, Box 5515, Potsdam, N.Y., 13699-5515.
Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, Stafford Chapel, is handling arrangements.