Frederick Marion Leicht, Sr.

December 12, 1937 - August 24, 2020

Fred peacefully passed away on Monday afternoon, August 24, 2020 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. He was born on December 12, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri to Marion and Ruth Leicht. He is preceded in death by both parents, his sister Ann Leicht Huesgen, and his brother Larry Leicht. He leaves behind his wife of fifty-nine years J. Kay Leicht, three daughters; Stina Leicht, husband Dane Caruthers; Catherine, husband David Blankenship; and Celina, husband Don Wisdom, as well as one son; Fred Jr., wife Calley, and his sister Barbara Leicht Dubbs. He will also be missed by his grandchildren Kaitlyn VanHook and Ethan Van Gorkom. A host of other family and friends also survive.

Over the course of his life, Fred earned three degrees while also working as a mechanical engineer in the aviation and oil and gas industries. He graduated from Union High School in 1956 then earned an Associates of Arts from South Texas Junior College and two Bachelors of Science degrees from University of Houston; the first in Psychology and the second in Mechanical Engineering. Listed among his many achievements was working on the F-4 Phantom aircraft and contributing to the design of the Apollo and Gemini space capsules alongside of John Glenn while employed by McDonnell Aircraft—not that he knew who Mr. Glenn was at the time. Afterward, Fred relocated with his family to Houston where he was employed at WKM, Hydril, and Cameron Iron Works. He transferred to Leeds, England for two years while working for Cameron. He was a gifted engineer and inventor and had multiple patents for off shore oil rig valves and equipment. He also taught computer languages at night for Houston Community College. Dedicated to providing for his family, he didn't retire until 2002.

A devout Catholic, he often volunteered for the Church and served as a lector, cantor, and an extraordinary minister for the sick. At home, he enjoyed tinkering in the garage, camping, fishing, writing poetry, drawing, making home movies, playing chess, and telling extremely bad Dad jokes. His sense of humor, no matter how painful, will be missed.

A memorial Mass will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas in College Station, Texas on Thursday, October the 8 ^th at 2pm. Due to Covid19, social distancing and masks are required. A second service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church near Villa Ridge, Missouri where he will be laid to rest next to his youngest sister. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the Alzheimer's Association.