David Arthur Leonard, former Mayo Clinic and St. Marys administrator, died October 19, 2017, at St. Marys Hospital with his family at his side.

Dave, as he was known to friends and colleagues, was born on June 3, 1928, in Red Oak, Iowa, to Wynona Farquhar Leonard and Morris Condit Leonard and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Grinnell College and a Master's Degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota's Industrial Relations Center. It was at Grinnell that he met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betsy) Harvey Berry from Towson, Maryland. They married in 1949 and raised three children, Deborah A. Leonard, Thomas B. Leonard (deceased), and Jane L. Shellum (Curtis). They, in turn, presented their parents with four grandchildren, Matthew Kotarski, Jenna K. Wolfenden (Daryl), Anne Shellum, and Thomas Shellum.

Dave had a 40-year career at the Mayo Clinic. He joined the Personnel Section in 1950, and served in multiple capacities, including administrative assistant, Affirmative Action administrator, chair of the Division of Administrative and Research Services, and preceptor for MHA students. He was one of the original lay members of the Saint Marys Board of Trustees from 1968 to 1982, serving as board president from 1974-1982. At the time of his retirement in 1990, he was the administrator of Saint Marys. After retirement, he continued his work with Saint Marys and the Sisters of Saint Francis through the executive committee of the Sponsorship Board.

Dave was also active in the community. He chaired the Mayor's Committee on Higher Education in 1954, which led the transition of the state junior colleges from the public school systems into the state's higher education system. He was a member of the Rochester City Council from 1961 -1964, and was a member of the Rochester Charter Commission from 1964-1968. In 1961, he was named Rochester's Outstanding Young Man by the Jaycees. He led the community in envisioning the future of Rochester as chair of the Total Community Development program, a nationally recognized effort. He was a founding member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

Dave enjoyed spending time with the family at their Hayward, WI and Estes Park, CO cabins, and wintering with friends in Naples, FL. He and Betsy also traveled extensively in retirement. In 2006, they moved to Charter House, where they enjoyed many friendships, new and old.

Besides his daughters and grandchildren, he is survived by his brother, William Leonard (Lois); and his sisters-in-law, Vivita Leonard and Sally Christenson (Chris). He was preceded in death by his wife and son.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 24th at St. Lukes Episcopal Church. Visitation will be held on hour prior to the service.

Memorials are preferred to the Saint Marys Hospital Poverello Fund or Boys and Girls Club of Rochester.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.