1. Dear Cathy, Russell, Maureen and Lynn,

   We have many fond memories of our dear Uncle Leonard. I have great memories of his infectious laugh when there was a good joke told by my dad or Uncle Joe at the dinner table. Once, with Aunt Ula, we visited his family home place near Treloar, MO. The interesting thing is that area is the same area that the Kiehl family settled when they came from Germany in the 1850’s. They settled in Drake Missouri – small world then and now.

   I thought Uncle Leonard was pretty “cool” when I was growing up. He and Cathy Combs had really pretty horses, Captain Fox and Golden Nugget.

   Uncle Leonard came to visit us in California about 20 years ago. He was out in our area because he was on his way to a Navy Reunion in Reno, Nevada. We had a memorable visit with him. He went with me and my four children to Hakone Japanese Gardens in Saratoga, CA. Michael was curious and fell into the Koi Pond which was only a foot deep. Uncle Leonard helped me “fish” him out. We all were totally wet and laughing about the escapade. Michael was about 3 years old. Thankfully, in those days I always carried extra clothes in my minivan, so after a change of Michael’s clothes (he was the wettest one), we continued to enjoy the beautiful gardens.

   Uncle Leonard told us that he taught the children at the Catholic Church he attended where he lived. I thought that was very generous of him to give of his time to that group of children.

   The last time I saw Uncle Leonard was when he and his wife Lois came down to Columbia in January, 2004 to attend my dad’s (Elmer Kiehl) funeral. It was a bitterly cold time of the year and I thought he and Lois were very brave (at their age) to make the drive from Chicago to Columbia for the funeral. It meant a lot to all of the Kiehl family that they came down. Michael and I stayed at our friend’s house (Jim and Verna Rhodes) along with Leonard and Lois for the 2-3 days that we were there. Uncle Leonard told us some stories about my dad that we hadn’t heard before. All in all we loved Uncle Leonard and are sorry that he is gone from us; but I have many great memories of him.

   We extend our condolences to the Combs family during this time.

   Sincerely,
   Marlene

2. I also just remembered one of Uncle Leonard’s stories – a sad and poignant one. It was the time of Bob’s memorial service in St. Charles, Mo. in 1993. All of us were of course heartbroken about Bob’s passing. But in true Barringhaus form, Uncle Leonard was able to tell us what Bob said to him as Bob’s health was declining because, Leonard wanted to share with all of us the love between our families (Kiehl and Barringhaus). He said that Bob said “Soon I’ll be in Heaven with Aunt Helen and rest of you will be here doing your Taxes”. Well, Uncle Leonard is in Heaven with Bob, now, and we all have to do our taxes. I have told that story many times and have loved Uncle Leonard for telling that to us when I know he was so sad to lose Bob – as were the rest of us. We had lost our mom (Aunt Helen) less than a year before Bob. A little comic relief, but also sharing of Bob’s sense of humor with everyone.

Comments are closed.