Leonard Jerome Severtson (1932 – 2015) | Passages

Published 8:00 am Thursday, November 12, 2015

Major Leonard Jerome Severtson USAF(Ret.)

June 23, 1932 – Oct. 25, 2015

Leonard Jerome Severtson died October 25th in his home, with his children around him, at the age of 83 years, after a long decline in health. Born in Newman Grove, Nebraska to Stanley and Marie Severtson, he was the second of four children growing up in South Dakota on his family’s farm and attending a one room school house. He attended Augustana College before joining the Air Force in 1952 to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a fighter pilot. He flew for many years, traveling and living all over the world including a combat tour of Viet Nam in 1967.

He met and married Nancy Davidson in 1959 at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. They were happily married for 53 years until Nancy’s death in 2012.

They had 3 children together, Michael, Catherine Jerome (Keith), and David.

After developing Adult Onset Type I Diabetes ending his flying career, he completed his time in the Air Force before retiring in 1973. He moved the family to the Pacific Northwest to explore his second passion of outdoor sports in the mountains and lakes of north Idaho. He worked for the Potlatch Corporation until 1996. He and Nancy then moved to San Juan Island for their long retirement, enjoying the peace and beauty (and crabbing!) of the island together as well as doting on their grandchildren.

Leonard was and avid sportsman and fan and was an exceptional athlete, playing every team and individual sport through college including football, basketball, baseball and track. He skied, hiked, biked, backpacked, camped, snow caved, ran, fished, hunted, and was even the base handball champion at one time.

He was also not only an accomplished artist in drawing, carving, scrimshaw and knife making but a history buff and voracious reader of non-fiction.

Leonard was proceeded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his three children, three beloved grandchildren: Carolyn Starnes, Harrison and Marie Jerome, and one great-grandchild Alexis Starnes, his brothers Ronald and Robert of South Dakota, and his sister Marilyn McEntee of Colorado as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

His quiet demeanor and gentle selflessness and devotion to his family will be cherished memories.

Leonard was a man of service: to his faith, his family and his country.

A service will be held in his honor to celebrate his life on Saturday, November 7th, at 2pm at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Friday Harbor, WA.