Nov. 25, 1925 - April 27, 2009

Beloved husband, father and grandfather Leslie S. Weiss passed peacefully from us on April 27.

An Oregon native, Les was born in Portland on Nov. 25, 1925, to Stewart and Lucille Weiss. Soon after his 1943 graduation from Shattuck High School in Faribault, Minn., Les joined the Army Air Force and served until his honorable discharge in 1946. Returning to civilian life, Les enrolled at Oregon State College, first studying forestry and then finding his true calling in engineering. He graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering.

During his time at OSC, Les met and in 1952 married fellow student June Rutquist, who became his loving wife of 57 years. Together they lived and raised their three children in Corvallis and Portland.

In 1954, Les began his 30-year career with Pacific Northwest Bell. During these years he led projects to upgrade city-wide phone systems in Medford and Grants Pass, and in 1974 returned to Corvallis to manage his final system upgrade project here.

After retiring in 1984, Les spent much of his time in his wood shop, creating many of the beautiful furniture and decorative pieces that fill the family home.

When not in the shop, Les loved to travel with June on trips organized by Elderhostel, seeing much of Oregon, the U.S. and the world in 20 years of travels. His most-repeated visits were to the U.S. Southwest, where he and June found joy in meeting other travelers and studying the cultures of the region.

As a member of the Corvallis community, Les enjoyed giving his time to volunteer efforts, working first for Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and later as a 20-year volunteer bailiff for the Corvallis Municipal Court.

Throughout his life Les placed two values above all others: his love for his family and his recognition of the importance of education. He lived these values every day, spending time whenever possible with his children and grandchildren, and providing ongoing financial support to the Corvallis School District and OSU Foundation. He took particular pride in knowing that all five of his grandchildren are or will be college graduates.

Les is survived by his wife, June; sister, Pat Weddle; daughter, Nancy, and husband Greg Ulman; daughter, Barbara, and husband Gabriel Boenzli; son, Kent, and wife Julie Weiss; and five grandchildren.

A service honoring the life and memory of Les Weiss will be at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis at 11 a.m. Monday, May 4. Remembrances can be made in his name to the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation.