DL Capt. Henry A. 'Hal' Leeuwenburg Jr.

 ~ IN MEMORY ~

DL Capt. Henry Andrew ‘Hal’ Leeuwenburg Jr.

November 8, 1937 ~ June 22, 2013

We have just received this news with the passing of retired DL pilot, Delta Pioneer and Delta Golden Wings member Captain Henry Andrew Leeuwenburg Jr., age 75.  Captain Leeuwenburg hired on with Delta 01-03-1967 and retired in June 1997, based 030/ATL.  Captain Leeuwenburg had suffered with complications of Parkinson’s Disease and had resided in a nursing home these past 15 months where he was an inspiration to many as he fought his medical issues. Services for Captain Leeuwenburg will be held June 28th with visitation the evening prior. 

A.S. Turner & Sons of Decatur GA has been entrusted with arrangements.  The online guestbook at the funeral home web

site http://asturner.com/ should be available soon.  Survived by his wife Lynn personal condolences may be sent to the family at  

1777 Mountain Glen , Stone Mountain GA 30087-1727  ...   (770) 923-5487

  

Thank you,
~ Carol 

From: Lynn Leeuwenburg   Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 6:11 PM   Subject: Henry Leeuwenburg

Highlights of the life of Henry Andrew Leeuwenburg, Jr. (Hal)

Hal was born in 1937 in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Henry Andrew Leeuwenburg and Emma Grey Rivenbark Leeuwenburg.
Hal had a goal of becoming a pilot, so he made a plan. After high school graduation, he entered East Carolina University, where he spent four years in Air Force ROTC. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science June 24, 1960, and received his military commission the same day.
He married his high school sweetheart, Mollie Smith, in 1960. They adopted John, born in 1964, then adopted Drew, born in 1969.
During his 6 ½ years of active duty in the Air Force, Hal flew the T34,T37,T33, C123, and C 130.
He then began flying for Delta Airlines in 1967. He began as a flight engineer on the DC 6, DC 8, and L 100. In 1972, he upgraded to L100 captain and instructor.
Later he upgraded to DC 9 captain and instructor, and taught for 10 years.
He was an instructor on the 757 and 767 from 1982-1992.
He flew the line for the last five years of his career, on the 757 and 767, retiring in 1997, completing 30 years of service with Delta Airlines.　
Hal was passionate about exercise. He completed the Ironman triathlon world championship in Kona, Hawaii on October 6, 1984, at the age of 47. 8000 athletes applied to compete, and Hal was one of the 1200 selected.
This event consists of a 26.2 mile run, a 2.4 mile swim, and a 112 mile bike ride. Hal completed all this in 13 ½ hours.
Mollie passed away from kidney failure at age 52, in 1992.
A year later, Hal met Lynn, who was an R.N. employed at Delta Airlines First Aid. It was love at first sight for both of them. They married in August of 1995.
Hal was an excellent step-father to Katherine, who was 13 at the time of the wedding, and Andrew, who was 16.
Hal and Lynn were a members of Lilburn First Baptist Church.
Hal had many medical issues to deal with, and met them with a gracious attitude. Many people have said how he inspired them to keep going in adversity.

Hal’s final 15 months of his life were spent at Rosemont Nursing Home, where his every need was met.

He passed away peacefully on June 22, 2013.  He will be greatly missed. 

From: Lynn Leeuwenburg   Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 6:21 PM   Subject: Henry Leeuwenburg

Dear friends and family,
Our beloved Hal’s suffering ended today at 4:10pm when he was ushered into the presence of God. Absent from the body, present with the Lord.
Visitation will be this Thursday, June 27, from 6pm - 8pm, at
A.S. Turner and Sons
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, Ga. 30033
404-292-1551
Funeral will be this Friday, June 28, at 2pm, at Turner and Sons.
Thanks to all for the many years of support you gave this truly great man. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
Sincerely,
Lynn Leeuwenburg