Dr. James Lindsay Leach passed away on August 4, 2010 in Champaign after a brief illness. Born April 9, 1918 in Lawrence County, Illinois, Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Jane (Zipprodt) Leach, children Bob (Bette deWitt) Leach of Urbana and Janet (David) Peshkin of Champaign, and grandchildren Kelly Russell of Champaign, Julia Snapp of Burlington, VT, Cathy Snapp of New York, NY, and Ian Snapp of Tucson, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents James Gard Leach and Nellie Irene (Lindsay) Biesecker, his brother Robert Leach of Huntsville, AL, and his son Jim Leach, Jr. of Urbana.

Jim Leach was born and raised in Lawrenceville, Illinois, and graduated from Lawrenceville High School. An all-state football player nicknamed "Scrapiron" for his style of play, he enrolled at the University of Illinois in 1937 on a football scholarship under the late Coach Zuppke. He then transferred to the New Mexico School of Mines and later earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1950, and a Ph.D. in Administration from Illinois State University in 1976. From 1946 until his retirement in 1985, Jim served on the faculty of the University of Illinois, including 25 years as a Professor and 36 years as the Director of the Mechanical Engineering Foundry Laboratory. In addition to a distinguished career in academia, Dr. Leach was a member of many professional societies and an honored recipient of awards in the petroleum and foundry industries. For over 20 years he also provided training and consulting services in the development and improvement of foundry programs around the globe, including in India, Kuwait, Kenya, and Iran. From their home foundry in Urbana, he and Mary Jane worked with local companies, artists, the University, and others in casting unique pieces.

He also had a distinguished career in the US Air Force, serving as a pre-flight instructor, a pilot during WW II, and a flight instructor, before retiring from the Air Force Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Following his retirement from the UI he and Mary Jane moved back to their home in Lawrenceville. There they were active in the Lawrenceville Methodist Church and enjoyed spending time with their many friends in the community.

No service will be held. Please donate to a charity of your choice if desired. Friends and family are invited to pay respects on Sunday, August 8, at 1711 Brighton Ct., Champaign from 1 to 4 pm.