Paul Ernest Leonard of Mequon, Wisconsin passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Paul was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on November 25, 1933. He is survived by his bride of 68 years, Carol Joan (Schmidt) Leonard. Paul and Carol were married in Lorraine, Kansas on August 30, 1957.

Paul had many academic and professional interests and achievements. He received flight training and was licensed as a pilot in 1952 at 18 years of age. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical focus in 1954 from John Brown University. He went on to earn a Master of Theology Degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1959, then spent three years at the University of Chicago in New Testament Biblical Studies. He was later awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the University of Manchester in England in 1976.

During his academic endeavors he also accepted endorsement as an U.S. Army Chaplain and began his military career in 1962. Paul had a very long and highly distinguished career in the Chaplain Corps with strong ties to the Army Medical Department. His career included various positions in both Reserves and Active Duty, he served in Panama following Operation Just Cause and in Germany at Landstuhl Hospital during Operation Desert Storm. During his service he was recognized with many awards; the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Reserve Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Overseas Service Medal, and Overseas Training Ribbon. He retired at the rank of Colonel in 1993 after 32 years of service. Following his military retirement Paul joined the pastoral care team at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, working there until he was 88 years old, serving other veterans.  Paul also continued his distinguished ministry with Armed Forces as an Associate Endorser for Steward’s ministries, a role held for 25 years.  His steadfast support was instrumental in strengthening the ministry of Chaplains across the military.

In addition, Paul had a two-year association with the Billy Graham organization at the New York World’s Fair from 1964-1965. He spent fifteen years teaching New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois and worked with the translation team to produce the ‘New International Version’ of the Bible. He also spent numerous years working as an Engineer, with his own company ‘Leonard Associates’, as well as working with Johnson Controls, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., the State of WI and Milwaukee County.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, John R and Avril (Haines) Leonard, and sisters Virginia Moldenhauer and Mary Lou Engle. In addition to his bride, Paul is survived by his sister, Betsy Armerding; children Tim Leonard and wife Tammy, Judith Piepenberg and husband Randy, Dan Leonard and wife Julie; grandchildren Megan Leonard and fiancée Alex Michuda, Keenan Leonard, Nicole Winter and husband Bobby, Ryan Leis, Nathaniel Leonard, Hannah McBroom and husband John, Rachel Covarubbias and husband Alex, Sarah Leonard; and by great grandchildren Kaitlyn, Brianna, Eleanor, Bobby, Rowan, Annalisa and Baby Covarubbias.

In Paul’s final years he enjoyed spending time at the hangar with friends, flying his plane. He was a loving Husband and Father and proud of his wife’s musical accomplishments and enjoyed listening to Carol play the piano and organ.  A private burial took place on March 30, 2026, at Resurrection Cemetery. Paul’s ‘Celebration of Life’ service will be at Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon, Wisconsin on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 1:30pm with a reception to follow.