Leon Lobdell

A memorial service for Leon William Lobdell, 87, was held on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Chaplain Elwood Stetson officiating. Mr. Lobdell passed away March 14, 2012 at Hospice of East Texas, Tyler, Texas. Leon was born October 5th, 1924 in Chateaugay, New York to Leon Herbert and Blanche Beatrice Mitchell Lobdell. He graduated from Franklin Academy in Malone, New York in 1942 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1949 from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA as well as a Master in Education in 1950 from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. In 1973, Leon later went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Engineering Science from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. He participated in National Science Foundation Summer Institutes at Bucknell University, Case Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University and Clarkston University. Mr. Lobdell served as a navigator during WWII with the 305th Bomb Group and with the 365th Squadron in Chelveston, England. He flew six missions in a B-17 aircraft over Germany and France and was shot down over Germany on May 28th, 1944. He was held as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft 3 and Stalag 7A until liberated by General George Patton’s Third Army on April 29th, 1945. Leon served as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the State University of NY College of Technology at Alfred, NY from 1951-1985. He was a member of Union University Church in Alfred, New York for over 50 years. Leon was also a Master Mason and member of the University Lodge #944 for over 50 years and a member of the Alfred Lions Club for over 30 years. Mr. Lobdell enjoyed fishing and hunting, long distance running and cycling, and participated in marathons and century rides. His other interests included classical music, Civil War and WWII History and playing bridge. Leon is preceded in death by his parents, and granddaughter Julie Morawski. He is survived by his loving family including wife of 65 years, Evelyn Mae Baldwin; son, Alan Lobdell; daughters Christine Morawski, Stephanie Landsman and Jennifer Lobdell; grandsons, Theodore and Terrence Morawski, Michael Lobdell, Joshua and Eli Landsman; granddaughters, Melissa Hodges and Katherine Johnson; and great grandchildren, Jackson, Andrew, Lane and Joshua Morawski, Gabriel and Claire Lobdell, Moira Hodges, and Silas Johnson. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Leon William Lobdell may be made to the Alfred Lions Club, P.O. Box 1191, Alfred, New York, 14802 or the Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75701.

Leon Lobdell

October 5, 1924 - March 14, 2012