George Richard Leitner

CHARLESTON - George Richard Leitner, 104, died peacefully on May 20th,
2022, at the Benton House, Charleston, SC with his daughters at his side. He
was born on October 2, 1917, in Harrisburg, PA, the son of the late Nicholaus
and Beatrice Leitner. He is survived by his twin daughters, Paula Templeton
(Curtis), Lake Wales, FL and Pam Leitner, John's Island, SC. Grandchildren,
Richard Templeton, Hendersonville, NC, Cameron Templeton (Candace), Atlanta
GA and Meredith Howard, of James Island, SC. He has four great-grandchildren,
Brianna Maynard, Tallulah Bierce, Walker and Owen Templeton. He has one
surviving sibling, Nicholas Leitner, Hummelstown, PA. as well as four nieces
and a nephew. He is predeceased by his wife of 73 years, Grace B. Leitner, his
daughter, Judy Wilds (Ed) and his granddaughter, Stephanie Maynard.
The son of a German immigrant, George joined the US Army in 1935 and
he was sent to Europe shortly after his marriage in 1942. As a Captain in the
5th Infantry Division, he fought throughout France to Germany, including the
Battle of the Bulge where he endured snow and freezing temperatures. He used
to say he had not been warm since the Battle of the Bulge.
He returned to the states after the war and was assigned as a ROTC instructor
at Wofford College. This much enjoyed assignment was interrupted by his being
called up for active duty in the Korean War. He retired from the US Army in June
1958 as a decorated veteran. He was awarded a number of honors including
the two Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart. He loved teaching and in 1967 he
established the Junior ROTC program at Westside High School in Anderson
where he enjoyed thirteen years as an instructor.
George loved his church, Boulevard Baptist, and for forty years taught a men's
Sunday School Class. Over the years he held many leadership positions and
chaired various committees. On his ninety first birthday, he flew to Romania
as part of a mission trip.
George was a lifelong learner. He was always curious about how things
operated and he loved new experiences; he did not let his age define him.
George enjoyed playing golf with a group of senior men, playing his last game
at the age of 98 and shooting below his age. He lived his last years as he lived
his whole life, with love and gratitude for his family and for those around him.
He was never a complainer; he did whatever was before him with dignity and
honesty. As he changed residences, moving first to FL at age ninety- nine then
back to SC a few years later, he assimilated effortlessly and was immediately
embraced by those around him. He touched the lives of many people during
his long life. To know him was truly to love him.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, June 3, 2:00pm at Boulevard
Baptist Church, 700 Boulevard Anderson, SC 29621. Memorials may be made
to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.