Service Details
Memorial Service: Sunday, September 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
Visitation: in the funeral home on Sunday from 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Memorial Suggestions
Memorials to “All Saints Foundation” (please note Intensive Care Unit – ICU) or to “Wall of the Fallen” (for towing & recovery specialists killed in the line of duty)
Racine – Rick Allen Leonard, age 62, passed away unexpectedly at Ascension All Saints Hospital on Tuesday, August 29, 2017.
Rick was born in Racine on December 20, 1954 to the late Floyd A. and Beverly M. (nee: Bolter) Leonard, Sr. In his early years, he attended Starbuck Middle School and Washington Park High School where he developed a love for sports excelling in football, basketball, and track. He also had a love for cars, the favorite being his 1940 Ford 2 door sedan which he drove each day during his high school years. Rick reconditioned the vehicle in later years so that his sons could drive the car to their high school proms just as he and Kathy did in 1973. He graduated from Washington Park High School. He was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Carthage College where he played basketball and studied Engineering. Shortly thereafter, he was challenged with renal failure. On September 14, 1976, Rick received a kidney transplant donated by his sister, Pamela. His transplant was extremely successful, lasting 38 years being one of the longest lasting transplants in Wisconsin. On September 20, 1980 at Bethany United Methodist Church, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Kathleen L. (nee: Kierstyn). In 1981, together with his brother Skip, they purchased the business started by their father in 1959. They founded Floyd & Sons, Inc., aka “Floyd’s Towing”. Rick and Skip worked together for the last 30+ years building their business and he currently served as Vice President. Rick’s expertise of heavy duty recovery and incident management was well-known throughout the towing industry.
Rick’s health was again challenged in 2015, as his kidney began to fail and was placed on dialysis. He was currently pursuing a second transplant. All of his sons were perfect matches for donation, and despite trying, he could not receive the transplant due to complications.
Rick was an active board member (past President and Chairman) of the Wisconsin Towing Association and was also a longstanding member of the Towing & Recovery Association of America. He was very passionate about the towing industry in general, but more specifically, had a special interest in the continuous improvement of the trade. He was instrumental (along with many others) in the development of the “Move Over Law” law which requires drivers to shift lanes or slowdown in order to provide a “safe zone” for emergency vehicles. Rick greatly valued the friendships made over the years with his fellow association members.
Outside of work, he enjoyed fishing, sports – especially basketball and football, grilling out, going to car shows, puttering in his yard, taking trips Up-North and, above all, spending time with his family. Rick’s three children meant the world to him. He taught them the ethic of hard work, to be a man of your word, and molded them into the special young men that they are today.
Rick is dearly loved and will be deeply missed by his loving wife and best friend of nearly 37 years, Kathleen (nee: Kierstyn) Leonard; their children, Chad (Lori Gorkowski) Leonard, Chase (Shawn Lueke) Leonard and Cody Leonard; brother, Floyd “Skip” (Julia) Leonard, Jr.; sister, Pamela Leonard; brothers-in-law, Wally (Sue) Kierstyn and David (Mick) Kierstyn; aunts, Laura Bolter and Wendy Bolter; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many close friends – too numerous to mention all by name.
In addition to his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his special uncle, Wayne ; uncles, Chet (Lois) Bolter, Rodger, aunt Marge (Mike) Kemen and by Kathy’s parents, Mary Lou Kierstyn and Walter (Bonnie) Kierstyn.
A memorial service celebrating Rick’s life will be held on Sunday, September 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. A luncheon will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. Private interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials to the All Saints Foundation – please note Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or to the “Wall of the Fallen” (for towing & recovery specialists killed in the line of duty).
A special thank you to Rick’s sister, Pamela for her generous gift of life.
A heartfelt note of thanks to Rick’s doctors: Dr. John Brennan, Dr. James Tierney, Dr. Pankaj Dhingra, and Dr. Liping Xie, the staff at Mt. Pleasant Police Dept. and South Shore Fire Dept., Davita Clinic (Sue); and to Ascension All Saints ICU (Denise, Kayla, Matt, and Gary), and Rick’s staff at Floyd’s Towing for the compassionate care and support given in his time of need.
Rick…you “Coloured My World”…love you always, Kath.
Cheryl Sigrist says
Thinking of you and your family, praying that God gives you strength during this hard time. I am so glad that you were able to retire and spend time with Rick. God knew…
Bob Knudson / Knudson Auto Body says
MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU, MAY THE LORD COMFORT YOU IN THIS TIME OF SADNESS.
Anonymous says
Dear Kathy and family,
We are totally in shock!! You and your family have our deepest sympathy . Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May peace fill your heart by all the prayers being offered.
We will miss Rick allot.
Sincerely,
Bill and Barb Tomlinson
Bill and Barb Tomlinson says
Dear Kathy and family,
We are totally in shock!! You and your family have our deepest sympathy . Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May peace fill your heart by all the prayers being offered.
We will miss Rick allot.
Sincerely,
Bill and Barb Tomlinson
Mark "Major" Wendt says
Deepest sympathies to the Leonard family, and the Floyd’s Family. Rick was a great man, adviser, and leader. I worked until retirement at Ray’s. We commonly referred to Rick & the Floyd’s family as our “Cousins”. Rick many times gave me advice during the closing years of my 34 year career. Rick always was willing to talk, guide, teach, help or just get his hands dirty along side of you, regardless of the color of your truck. He will missed by many, family, friends, & the towing industry. RIP Rick…
Diane Tinker says
Prayers to the Leonard family! Remember your fond memories of Rick it will give you strength !
Jack Herman and family. Wildwood Service says
Dear Leonard family, myself and my family are saddened by Ricks passing. I am proud to have known him for many years as a fellow tower and a friend. I am glad I had a chance to see him and talk with him at this years tow show. I hope all of you will find comfort in knowing that he is in good hands with God in Heaven. Our condolences go out to all of you and our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Chris " Bubba " Golombowski says
Rest in peace my Friend. ..May God Cradle You in his arms forever
Cheryl Oravetz with Telephone Answering Service says
Prayers are with the Leonard family.
Carole and Mike Boelter says
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family. He was a great industry leader and a wonderful guy. Our condolences!
David Coughlin/RASO says
May God watch over your family and welcome you to his table. You will be missed by so many people.
Kelly O'Neil Shearer says
Dear Leonard family! I had the fun privilege of going to Park H.S. with Rick, we were home room buds all the way thru! Rick was an amazing friend to all, always kind and showed his good and strong moral character way back in the day when most were trying to “find themselves” – Rick always knew. It was no wonder Kathy fell in love with Rick and visa-versa!
My sincere sympathies to all of you on the loss of your husband Kathy and dear dad to Chad, Chase and Cody, to those who called him brother and the many of us who treasured him as friend.
Praying for you as you grieve the loss of a very fine man.
God blessings . . .
Joe Meddaugh says
My deepest sympathy to his family.
Mike Garski says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rick was a child hood friend mine. Walked to school with him to Knapp and Starbuck. Knew the whole family. Last time I saw him was at the 25th Park High Reunion. Was great to see him again.
God Bless
Mike and Brenda Garski
Chandler, AZ
Anonymous says
My thoughts and prayers are with you Kathy. My family has known Rick for many many years. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Joan Lackey
ALAN KADDATZ (PATS SERVICES INC) says
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL. RICK WAS A GREAT PERSON AND REST ASSURED WE WILL SEE HIM AGAIN
Sheryl Wise says
Sending my deepest sympathy to the Rick Leonard family. I’m glad I had the pleasure to sit and listen to the history of his kidney transplant. My father had a heart and kidney transplant so he was my moral support when my dad was sick. Now you can play Shut Box with Rick in heaven my dear friend. Sheryl
Bob Krencisz Sr. and Jr. says
I am so sorry to hear about Rick. He was a great guy to know. I have known the Leonard family when Rick and Skip were little ones. My prayers go out to the family. He will be sadly missed. I wish I could be there but we are out of town.
Bob Jorgensen says
To the Leonard Family, I will never forget Rick, he was a great person that helped mentor me in the early years. I pray that your family finds strength and comfort in the Lord our God. I pray that the family continues to be strong in the coming days and remembers to ask for guidance to move forward.
Dreamscape says
Praying for the family, I haven’t gotten to meet Rick but I heard all good things about him. Floyds Towing is a great company and has been taking care of our Towing services the past couple years and we couldn’t ask for a better company. Love a prayers from all at Dreamscape
Anonymous says
God Bless to you and.your family Kathy,Chase,Chad, and Cody,and the rest of your.family.Rick was.a.wonderful man.He is at peace.
Warren and debe dahlke says
Dear Kathy and boys. I am so sorry to hear the news. Warren and I are thinking of you all. And our prayers and thoughts are with you…
The Kenna family. says
God Bless to you and.your family Kathy,Chase,Chad, and Cody,and the rest of your.family.Rick was.a.wonderful man.He is at peace.