Last Updated on April 20, 2022 by Fisher Funeral Chapel
NOTE: This information was originally posted on February 15, 2022 and has been updated with service info.
Hugh Leeman, 95, passed away Monday, February 14, 2022, the day after his 95th birthday at his residence at Wynnfield Crossing in Rochester.
Born February 13, 1927, in Hamilton County, Indiana, he was the son of the late Joseph Harvey Leeman and Grace Edwards (DeVaney) Leeman.
Mr. Leeman was allowed to graduate early from Walnut Grove High School in 1945 so that he could enlist in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was honorably discharged in June of 1946.
Mr. Leeman received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, a Master of Science degree in Education Administration, and an Administrative Certification all from Butler University. He had also completed 18 hours post-Master degree work all in the field of education and administration.
On February 14, 1946, he married Carolyn (Kelly) Leeman, his high school sweetheart. She preceded him in death after 30 years of marriage and 3 grown children, Kelly, Kevin and Kim.
On July 1, 1976, Hugh was married to Emmy (Medley) Speicher who had also lost her spouse to cancer. She survives. Their 45 years of marriage was an unexpected long term blessing for them, their children, grandchildren, and all that knew them. They were best friends and helpmates who talked about and shared everything until the end.
Mr. Leeman taught biology and coached high school basketball for eight years at Jackson Central High School, now Hamilton Heights. He began his career as a high school administrator at Chili High School in1958. From 1959-1963 he served as principal at his alma mater, Walnut Grove, now part of Hamilton Heights. In 1963, during the consolidation of the schools in southeastern Cass County, he became the first principal of Lewis Cass High School. He was proud of the educational quality, foundations and traditions he helped establish for the Kings. Social and professional contacts created during this period continued for the rest of his life.
In 1965 Mr. Leeman became the principal at Logansport High School and served in that capacity until he retired in 1984 to travel and enjoy life full time with his wife Emmy. He always enjoyed the students as students and then as friends, associates and fellow citizens in the community. An evening in town at a favorite restaurant provided a testament to the extensive mutual respect and affection shared by him, his students, teachers and staff from his days as the principal at LHS.
Professionally, Mr. Leeman extended his legacy beyond Logansport as a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the Indiana Retired Teachers Association, the Cass County Teachers Association, and the State and National Principals Association. He was always proud of his role as part of the North Central Accreditation Association of Indiana for the evaluation and improvement of public schools in Indiana.
He was a longtime member of Logansport’s First United Methodist Church. Hugh and Emmy attended the Grace United Methodist Church after they moved to Rochester to be on the lake. He was very active in the community and was a past president of the Logansport Rotary Club and as a Master Mason, he also became a member of the Scottish Rite in Fort Wayne. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the American Legion Post 60. He and Emmy traveled to Elks Clubs all over the area to dance the night away to those big band sounds they always enjoyed. (Tuxedo Junction, et al).
In his spare time, Hugh enjoyed time with Emmy hiking, bird watching, caring for their fish pond and planting flowers in their yard. He was an avid reader, especially historical biographies. He enjoyed traveling and following his retirement they spent most of their winters in Florida and camping. Always the basketball coach, he loved sports and followed IU, Purdue, Butler, and Notre Dame – equally.
Surviving with Emmy Leeman, his wife of over 45 years, are their children, Ted (Norma) Speicher, Logansport, Kelly (Pam) Leeman, Logansport, Jane (Max) Speicher-Borden, Rochester, Kevin (Stephanie) Leeman, McGrawsville, JoAnn (Michael) Speicher-Tierney, Chicago, and Kim (Gary) Leeman-Warren, Longboat Key; 24 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild and still counting.
A Memorial Service celebrating Mr. Leeman’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, in Fisher Funeral Chapel. He will be laid to rest in Mount Hope Cemetery where he and Emmy will be together flanked by their respective original spouses pursuant to arrangements they made years ago to benefit all members of their families. Full military honors will be accorded by members of the Great Lakes Naval Honor Guard and the Cass County Honor Guard. The playing of Taps will be played by his grandson, Andy Warren, who is a professional jazz musician. The funeral service will be conducted by another grandson and minister, Adam Speicher.
Visitation hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, in Fisher Funeral Chapel and also one hour prior to the service on Friday in the funeral chapel.
A scholarship will be established in memory of Hugh Leeman. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cass County Community Foundation in his memory.