Friday, April 19, 2024
Leo Hiett Bodvin
May 9, 1940 - December 24, 2022
Leo Hiett Bodvin, 82, of Selah, Washington, passed away on December 24, 2022.
Leo was an only child, born to Hazel Hiett and Leo John Bodvin, in Seattle, Washington. When he was two years old, his family moved to Leavenworth, Washington. Upon graduation from high school in 1958, Leo enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving in Okinawa, South Korea, Taiwan and Fort Meade, Maryland.
Leo served his country all his life, even after serving in the U.S. Air Force. Honorably discharged in 1966, he joined the federal government as a civilian and applied his extraordinary knowledge throughout his career as a research analyst with the NSA. He retired in 2002 with 44 years of service.
Leo married his first wife, Wendy Roxanne Moeser, on April 27, 1968. They had two sons, Christopher and Eric, before, sadly, Wendy passed away from complications after surgery in 1974.
Leo was an avid reader, puzzle-solver and, after learning UNIX and LINUX programming languages, could make computers dance to his tune. Upon retirement, he became interested in early Leavenworth history, scouring old newspapers and digitally preserving old photos from 1900 to the 1930’s, which was the town’s railroad heyday. He also enjoyed listening to music and collecting digitized versions of his favorites.
He is survived by his second wife of 40 years, Francine Elizabeth Elam (who met and fell in love with him at the Agency), and his two sons, Christopher, and Eric, his daughters-in-law, Rachelle, and Kristen, his five grandchildren, Sarah Bodvin Bloser, Tommy, Zane, Bailey, and Elizabeth Bodvin, and Merilyn Millikan, as well as other cousins.
If you wish, memorial contributions can be made payable to the Upper Valley Museum in Leavenworth, Washington, or to the charity of your choice and sent in care of Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.shawandsons.com.
