In Memoriam: James L. Leach Sr. (1918 - 2010)

James L. Leach, 92, of Champaign passed away on Aug. 4, 2010, after a brief illness.

Born April 9, 1918, in Lawrence County, Ill., Jim graduated from Lawrenceville High School, where he became an all-state football player nicknamed “Scrapiron” for his style of play. He enrolled at UIUC in 1937 on a football scholarship under the late Coach Bob Zuppke. He then transferred to the New Mexico School of Mines and later earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico, an M.S. in mechanical engineering from UIUC in 1950, and a Ph.D. in administration from Illinois State University in 1976. From 1946 until his retirement in 1983, Jim served on the mechanical and industrial engineering faculty, including 25 years as a professor and 36 years as the director of the Mechanical Engineering Foundry Laboratory.

Dr. Leach was a member of many professional societies and an honored recipient of awards in the petroleum and foundry industries. For more than 20 years, he also provided training and consulting services in the development and improvement of foundry programs around the globe, including in India, Kuwait, Kenya, and Iran. From their home foundry in Urbana, he and his wife Mary Jane (Zipprodt) Leach worked with local companies, artists, the university, and others in casting unique pieces.

He also had a distinguished career in the Air Force, serving as a pre-flight instructor, a pilot during World War II, and a flight instructor, before retiring from the Air Force Reserve as a lieutenant colonel. Following his retirement from UIUC, he and Mary Jane moved back to their home in Lawrenceville. There they were active in the Lawrenceville Methodist Church and enjoyed spending time with their many friends in the community.

Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Jane; children Bob (Bette deWitt) Leach of Urbana and Janet (David) Peshkin of Champaign; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert, and his son, Jim Leach Jr. of Urbana.

Here at the university, Jim will be best remembered by his “scrapiron” sense of humor and his genuine kindness to faculty and students alike.

James W. Phillips
Professor and Associate Head
Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
August 12, 2010