Dr. Robert A. Leonard

Robert A. Leonard, D.V.M. of Chester, Maryland died at his home on February 10, 2016 at the age of 92 following a short illness, with his wife, Nancy Moore Leonard and daughter, Cynthia Dianne Leonard, at his side. Bob was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 21, 1923, the son of Robert Francis Leonard, a Ford Motor Company executive, and Mary Harrington Leonard. He had five sisters, none of whom survive him. Educated at Ohio State University before and after World War II, he received his degree, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. His studies were interrupted by the war during which he enlisted in the Army and served in Europe as part of General Patton’s 3rd Army. He and Nancy were married in 1950 and moved to Maryland in 1951 where Bob practiced his vocation and avocation in the Thoroughbred horse industry. He was the chief veterinarian for the Maryland Racing Commission at all Maryland thoroughbred and harness racing tracks for many years during the 1950’s and 60’s. In 1959, Colonel Harry B. Marcus and Jack I. Bender both of Washington, D.C., together with Dr. Leonard formed a partnership to continue the operation and expansion of the prominent thoroughbred horse farm, Glade Valley Farm, situated in Frederick, Maryland. During the next several years, other adjacent properties were purchased expanding the operation to over 900 acres and becoming one of the largest commercial thoroughbred horse farms in Maryland, at one time standing eight to ten stallions, and selling progeny primarily at the Saratoga Sales in New York, Fasig-Tipton Sales in Maryland, and Keenland Yearling Sales in Kentucky. Bob served as the managing partner and veterinarian until his retirement in 1994. Over the years, he and Nancy developed a small but high class family of successful thoroughbreds beginning with their foundation mare, MARTINETTA who subsequently produced five stakes winners including the Maryland-bred champion ROLLICKING, who retired to stud and became one of Maryland’s leading sires. Other outstanding homebred performers included the Stakes Winner POWER PLAY and Stakes Placed SKIPPER’S MATE, both becoming successful stakes producing broodmares, the latter dam of the versatile Stakes Winner FRAC DADDY, recently retired to stud. Bob was active in the Maryland Horse Breeders Association for many years and was honored to serve two terms as President of the Association. In addition to horse racing, Bob had other special interests including foxhunting, campaigning his champion show and field trial dogs, reading, and sailing with his wife and often his daughter, the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, the Bahama Islands, and the coast of Maine. In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Arrangements are being handled by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., in Chester, Maryland. At Bob’s request, no public services will be held. A celebration of life for Bob’s friends and family will be planned for a later date. If so desired, memorial contributions in memory of Robert A. Leonard, D.V.M. may be directed to The Ohio State University Foundation Fund for the College of Veterinary Medicine – 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221; gifts@osu.edu , or The Gluck Equine Research Foundation of the University of Kentucky – Department of Veterinary Science, 108 Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, KY 40546-0099; www.ca.uky.edu/gluck.

Dr. Robert A. Leonard

August 21, 1923 - February 10, 2016