Roland Byron Leavens Obituary (2024)

Roland Byron Leavens, age 93, died on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Nicknamed "Lefty" in grade school because he was left-handed, the nickname stuck. The story goes, as a young tyke in first grade, he wrote everything from right to left on the page until the teacher put the pencil in his left hand. That fixed the writing direction, but sadly, not his chicken scratch handwriting. Lefty has a full gaggle of family that has followed him up mountains, cliffs, hiking trails, down ski runs, and out on sailboats over many years. He somehow convinced his sister, Jeanette's classy high school English Teacher, Doris Jean McCartney, to date him (although she did turn down the first date), and subsequently to marry him three times, one of those times being at the top of Seneca Rocks, in West Virginia. His adventure crew was then fleshed out with seven children, Wendy Arce of Salmon, Idaho, Teri Adkins of Williamsburg, Virginia, Tami Hesselgesser (Todd) of Selah, Washington, Kara Hanna (James) of Blackfoot, Idaho, Paul Leavens (Amy) of Snohomish, Washington, and Stephen Leavens (Susan) of Pasco, Washington. Born May 11, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Byron Clement Leavens and Shirley June Ford, he was the apple of his mama's eye, learning to play the piano, becoming an eagle scout, an excellent student, and even learning how to knit. His fifth-grade class knit Afghans, and his graduating yearbook lists this memory, "Lefty Leavens could really knit them faster than the girls." Little did they know he'd had a leg up because Shirley had put him to work knitting socks for the soldiers in WWII. Lefty built strong muscles while attending Bay Village High School (Ohio), hoisting double packs of cinder blocks on Saturdays to help his father build their family home. After heavy lifting all day, he'd play as star quarterback of their football team on Saturday evenings. He also played basketball and was a pole vaulter. He was salutatorian of his class, president of the National Honor Society, sang in Acapella Choir and Chorus, was in Photo Club, Student Council, Tribunal, Annual Staff, on more committees than you can shake a stick at, and he was in both his Junior and Senior Plays. Roland attended Dartmouth College, graduating in five years with a dual MBA and Engineering degree in 1953. While there, he became the president of the Outing Club, learned to ski, was active in Navy ROTC, and raced to the top of Mt. Moosilauke. He remembers pulling in after summer training on the USS Missouri, and seeing the young soldiers lined up to embark. The Missouri was headed to the Korean War. Lefty and Doris spent nine months traveling through Europe, both by motor scooter and thumb, before settling in Hood River, Oregon, where he worked for Diamond Fruit Growers for 18 years. He pioneered industry packaging changes and received "Outstanding Packing Man of Year Award" from Produce Marketing Association in 1971. He was active in the Jaycees, was Chamber of Commerce President, and became a lifetime member of the Crag Rats, a mountain rescue team on Mt. Hood, by climbing every major western peak. Moving to Selah, Washington in 1976, Roland became General Manager of SnoKist Growers Inc. for eight years, then went to work for Food Plant Engineering. During his professional years, he was a brilliant innovator and was proud of leading the development and installation of automated fruit handling and shipping systems, which initiated worldwide change in the industry. He received patents on a new packaging system and a process for preserving the color of fresh apple slices. He holds a patent for a banana packing process that he devised. Lefty and Doris joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1966. Lefty served in many callings over the years, including Bishop and in a Stake presidency. He had impressive persistence as a home teacher. He and Doris served a mission in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire from 2009-2011. To his family, he was someone who could always be counted on to tell the truth and to try to do what he thought was right. He was a man of honor. Lefty and Doris enjoyed traveling the world together. We will miss hiking, climbing, swimming, sailing, skiing, road trips, and trekking in the outdoors with him. His example has left us with an abiding love of the mountains, exploring, Jesus Christ, and our families. Thanks for the adventures, Dad! He is preceded in death by his son, Peter Benjamin, sister, Jeanette Alessi, sons-in-law, Jeffrey Arce and Michael Adkins, and grandson, Samuel Adkins. He has 23 grandchildren and more truly adorable great-grandchildren seemingly every day. His sister, Beverly Shamo of Hurricane, Utah is also still living. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the Selah, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The viewing will be at 8:00am, with services at 9:00am. Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com.