Foster E. Leonhardt

Foster E. Leonhardt, Jr., 91, of Bethlehem Township, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, June 12, 2021, with his loving wife, Nadia (Lychos) Leonhardt, by his side. They were married for 67 years. Born February 19, 1930, in Latrobe, PA, he was a son of the late Foster E. Leonhardt, Sr. and Emma (Johnston) Leonhardt Goldstein. 

Foster was a 1948 graduate of Bloomsburg High School and served in the U.S. Navy from 1949-1953. While stationed in Norfolk, VA, he played in the servicemen’s football league and was named “All-Tidewater” as an offensive lineman. Following his military service, Foster went on to graduate with a B.A. in Education from Bloomsburg University and received his M.Ed. from Lehigh University. Foster was an educator in the Bethlehem Area School District for 34 years. He taught sixth grade at Governor Wolf and Edgeboro elementary schools, was building principal at Washington, Donegan, and Governor Wolf elementary schools, and retired in 1992. He was a member of the Bethlehem Schoolmen’s Club and South Side Boosters and enjoyed golfing, woodworking/whittling, folk art painting, and playing the harmonica, especially his favorite song, “Me and Bobby McGee.” Foster was an avid Lehigh University wrestling and football fan, as well as a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Survivors: Foster will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Nadia; son, Lance F. Leonhardt and wife, Monica; daughter, Anne V. Leonhardt; grandchildren, Steven and Michael Leonhardt and Victoria and Timothy Pojawis; sister-in-law, Nancy Lychos; and as Uncle “Fruff” by his loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Edward and Wayne Leonhardt.

Services: Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Cantelmi-Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memorial tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com. 

Contributions: Because Foster loved to read and in lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in his memory to the Bethlehem Area Public Library, 11 W. Church St, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

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