Larry Duane Leonhardt

Dylan Biggs July 8, 2014 6:56 PM

Larry was and will remain a true inspiration to me, in life and in cattle breeding. My deepest condolences to his family and friends, who I am sure will miss him dearly. Sincerely Dylan Biggs

Patrice Athanasidy July 8, 2014 7:51 PM

Wish we could be there this week to share our many wonderful memories of Uncle Larry. For now, we send our prayers and virtual hugs. Love to you all. Patrice, Bill, Charlotte, Peter and Kit

Kristina Sauer July 8, 2014 7:59 PM

Words can hardly be found to express my deep sorrow to know of Larry's passing. My deep sorrow is surpassed, though, by the joy and delight of knowing Larry Leonhardt. The many times that I was welcomed into the Leonhardt homestead in Red Lodge are some of the happiest and most enjoyable times of my life. Larry was always ready to welcome me with a hug, a broad smile and those dancing eyes! My mom and I are night owls, and Larry was a bit of one, too, I think--at least when we were in Red Lodge--and he would sit up with us sometimes and entertain us with stories of the past with Betty and the family. Through many of those stories, there was a bit of wisdom too--wisdom about living life happily and fully, about moving forward when you've suffered a setback, about love for family, nature and mankind. I loved sitting on the front porch with Larry, listening to the quiet breeze and taking in the mountains. I loved sneaking one of his Pinwheel cookies every once in a while from the kitchen for a snack. Most of all, I just plain loved Larry. There might be an empty chair on the front porch the next time I visit Red Lodge, but Larry will be there--his spirit is as much a part of the fabric of that homestead as the grasses, skies and mountains. And I will be back to visit him often. Much love to my Montana family during this grieving time. Betty, I love you dearly, and Mark and I are sending you all prayers of peace and comfort from Kentucky.

Tim Latham July 8, 2014 9:31 PM

I will always appreciate my conversations with Larry.I enjoyed hearing his ideas of breeding Angus cattle.

Travis Cherry July 9, 2014 7:19 AM

Was so glad I got to meet Larry and get to know him a few years ago in KY and also have an opportunity to meet his Lovely wife in Red Lodge. They made everyone feel at home. One of my best trips ever.

Bill Eaton Clear Dawn Angus, Illinois July 9, 2014 8:38 AM

Dear Leonhardts, My deep sympathies at your loss, and the loss to the beef industry. When I came back to our ranch my searches quickly found Larry as a must-visit cattleman. Like many, I got the basement seminar! :). His unique wisdom was amazing. I told friends that his comments were kind of like an onion. As you digested one thought you could peel under it and see more wisdom and then more that had not occurred to you. His Bull Shoshone Viking changed our program. Larry has wisely advised and has changed many minds and herds and left many, many believers and followers. He was of course a true gentleman. Larry lived a life worth living.

Mark Day Day Angus Farms Ohio July 9, 2014 11:18 AM

I am very grateful to have met and learned from Larry. He was one of the most generous people I have ever met. My cattle will forever carry Shoshone genetics and are better because of it.

Eddie Martin July 9, 2014 11:55 AM

I never met Larry but held him as a friend. He suffered many of my questions, and amazingly to me at first, often answered in riddles or questions to make me think for myself. He was a man I admired from a distance for decades with his cattle. He wanted to make them better for all of the right reasons. I, like many, now have a void to fill that will go unfilled. He was special. With deepest sympathy, Eddie

Kent Powell July 9, 2014 6:24 PM

I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Betty and the Leonhardt family. I came to Larry to learn about cattle, and ended up learning about myself, humanity, family, and friendship. Never quick to dismiss, always thoughtful to answer, even though the answer was often in the form of more questions. To most things there isn't an answer, only deeper reflection inspiring another level of understanding. It is all about creating our own filter to sift through the unimportant to get to the basic essentials. It is about the journey and the interactions with people along the way. It was a heck of a journey. I am honored to have been there to share in a small part of that journey with the greatest educator I have ever met. The inspiration behind much of my own journey for the last 20 years.

Luke Perman July 9, 2014 10:01 PM

I found Larry's writings about cattle breeding on the internet a few years ago, and it changed my whole perspective on the subject. I am thankful that he was so willing to share his experiences - good and bad - for younger cattlemen like myself to learn from. His vision of what cattle breeding could be has helped me chart a course for my own herd. He will be missed. My thoughts are prayers are with Betty and the whole family.

DeAnn Ancell July 9, 2014 10:50 PM

Larry was one-of-a-kind. There's no replacement for him. We have lost an amazing individual and it's difficult to say goodbye. Betty and family, my deepest sympathy to you.

Ken Brubaker July 10, 2014 8:34 AM

To the Leonhardt Family, My sincere condolences on the passing of Larry a man that taught me more about cattle than anyone. While I am 55 now, in my teens I learned of Larry and his Shoshone Angus. We became pen pals for a few years and I was always appreciative of his thoughts and lessons and philosophy - lessons that still today I value. He took the time to return my letters and answer my questions and his answers always provoked more questions and on and on. He was a man of deep thought and conviction and in my opinion a man who was a true Master Breeder. He certainly improved the Angus breed for those who found his genetics and for those who studied the lessons he taught.

Iain Aitken July 10, 2014 12:52 PM

My sincere condolences to the Leonhardt family on your loss. I feel privileged to have met Larry and benefitted from his outstanding knowledge of genetics. My lasting impression of Larry is the twinkle in his eye as he sat on the porch at Red Lodge regaling visitors with his philosophies of cattle breeding and their parallels with life in general. Despite being asked the same questions hundreds of times over the years his patience never seemed to waver as he carefully shaped his answers to fit each student’s level of understanding. An outstanding teacher, a brilliant mind, a down to earth farmer who will be sadly missed by many. Bon voyage Larry.

Joe and Linda Dunkum July 10, 2014 3:30 PM

Linda and I are pained with the loss of Larry. We admired, respected and trusted him, and are thankful that we had the chance to get to know him. All the while, as Linda and I spent time with Larry, listening to him share his wisdom and experiences of life, I was always intrigued that he, a rough hewn descendant of Russian immigrants could win the heart of a beautiful socialite of New York. But hang around them a bit and notice the caring, flirting, teasing, the harmless banter and you could see how it happened. Betty, it is just not right that you and Larry have had to be separated. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you. LARRY WAS A GOOD MAN

Wayne Nebeker July 10, 2014 9:02 PM

I am privileged to have mat Larry, and humbled by his teaching, that in embracing your failures, and sharing them is the true path to success. His teachings were simple and true. One of his closet friends. Shared these words with My son and I, and I would like to share them with you. You feed the soul and the soul gives you courage, and courage is what it take’s to disseminate the truth. Tell him to write those words down somewhere in the barn or on the side of the corral – and tell them they come from somebody who tries to practice what he preaches and also someone who is very strange and has strange ideas. But strangeness only separates us from the unstrange and gives us hope that our ideas can have an impact. It takes strangeness to make original thought. I followed these instructions and they are on the barn wall. And every time I read them I will think of Larry and his friends. God Bless.

Chris Blough July 11, 2014 3:26 AM

I just wanted to send my deepest sympathies to Larry's family. Meeting Larry was one of the greatest days of my life. He has taught me so many things thru his writings I am forever grateful. He was a legendary person. Rest in peace Larry. Chris Blough

Jon and Kendra Tiemann July 12, 2014 11:07 PM

We are so sorry for the passing of Larry; the void that remains leaves us feeling inadequate to properly express our condolences. Larry was a virtuous man, respected by all who were privileged to know him. His actions were guided by genuine selflessness, and he refused to compromise his values for the sake of popularity, status, or monetary gain. He was a man of integrity by all definitions and was committed to his purpose of leaving the world in a better condition than he received it. Larry’s humbleness leaves me wondering if he isn’t taking a drag from his cigarette and respectfully saying, “Geez guys, I’m honored but get on with life, didn’t I only do the things that we all should do in life?” There is a possibility that he would substitute a four lettered word for the “Geez” at the beginning of the sentence! Larry’s appreciation for simplicity, and the value of all the little things we do was reinforced through a story he shared with us about his five year old great grandson. After a full day’s events with the funeral of Larry’s mother, events that Larry didn’t think a five year old might have much understanding of what was going on, he so proudly shared that upon leaving to go home, his five year old great grandson hugged him and whispered in his ear, “I’m sorry your mother died.” I believe these were the moments that brought great pride and satisfaction to him. Lacking the words to express our deepest sympathy, we will simply say, “We are so very sorry for the loss of your husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and friend.” He is missed by many. We wish you the peace and comfort that Larry would have wished for you.

Harry Fisher - Aledo, Illinois July 15, 2014 11:42 AM

Larry was a wonderful fellow. He loved his family. He loved his Angus cattle. He loved farming. My cattle partner & I spent a day with Larry in Red Lodge last summer. He picked us up around 7am at the Motel. After a good breakfast, we headed for the ranch. Spent the day looking at good Angus cattle and talking about cattle and many other topics. He made supper and we continued the conversation. We left a little after 10pm. What a great day. Larry was truly a master breeder. His program has improved herds throughout the United States. He will be missed.

Bob and Pam Howard July 17, 2014 8:24 AM

Words are never enough! The great loss of such a friend and mentor.....Thankful, for His influence on our lives and his ability to get our brains to reach out of that rusty place and churn in new directions! Thank you Larry and thank you family for sharing him. Our lives took a new path and consequently so our future generations!

Blake Chapman September 8, 2014 10:20 PM

I only met Larry once and that was in his cow pasture near Red Lodge where we spent the afternoon looking at his cows and discussing genetics and life in general. It was probably one of the most enjoyable and educational experiences of my life. Few men have ever had the foresight and insight into the basics of life and genetics that Larry did. Agriculture will miss this man greatly! Rest in Peace.