Leo Parts
October 31, 1927 — March 13, 2016
Leo Parts
PARTS, Leo, age 88 of Kettering passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 13, 2016. He was born on October 31, 1927 in Tallinn, Estonia to the late, Peeter and Hilda (Viidik) Parts. Also preceding him in death was an infant sister, Eha Parts.
Leo is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Ann (Freitas) Parts; children, Peter (Debra) Parts, Mark (Faith Spencer) Parts, Christopher (Sue) Parts, Catherine (Carl Geis) Parts; and grandchildren, Spencer, Colin, Vaughn, Isabella, Jonathan, Celia, Gabriella, Cory and Angelo.
Leo immigrated to the U.S. in 1949 after WWII. He was sponsored by the Lutheran Federation and worked on a farm in Sioux Falls, SD, for nearly a year. Leo was accepted at Augustana College and received his bachelor’s degree in inorganic chemistry. He went on to attend Purdue University where he received his masters and Ph.D. in inorganic research chemistry.
Leo worked as a research chemist at Monsanto for over 30 years where he was granted numerous patents and became a Science Fellow in 1972. Leo served on the PTA at Immaculate Conception and founded the Science Library. For over six years, he was a Boy Scout leader for Troop 81, where many of his scouts earned their Eagle Award. Leo was an avid photographer and talented gardener. His ability to capture natural beauty with his camera afforded him many opportunities for photographing on behalf of charitable causes. Likewise, his green thumb made him famous for keeping the neighborhood well-stocked with fruit and vegetables.
Leo cherished the time he spent with his family during reunions in Kettering and New York. He dearly loved his children and grandchildren and never stopped asking them about their goals in life. When Leo was asked recently about the most important message he would share with his family and future family, he emphatically replied that one must receive a great education. Never stop learning. Leo was always a great role model for this.
Leo’s family will greet friends from 9:00 am-10:30 am on Friday, March 18 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Centerville, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am with Fr. Tom Schmidt presiding. Leo will be laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Leo Parts may be made to the Kettering Parks Foundation by mail to: 3600 Shroyer Rd., Kettering, OH 45429 or by visiting www.ketteringparksfoundation.org . Arrangements are in the care of Westbrock Funeral Home.
Addresses for GPS:
St. Francis of Assisi 6245 Wilmington Pike, Centerville, OH 45459
Woodland Cemetery 118 Woodland Ave. Dayton, OH 45409
Leo is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Ann (Freitas) Parts; children, Peter (Debra) Parts, Mark (Faith Spencer) Parts, Christopher (Sue) Parts, Catherine (Carl Geis) Parts; and grandchildren, Spencer, Colin, Vaughn, Isabella, Jonathan, Celia, Gabriella, Cory and Angelo.
Leo immigrated to the U.S. in 1949 after WWII. He was sponsored by the Lutheran Federation and worked on a farm in Sioux Falls, SD, for nearly a year. Leo was accepted at Augustana College and received his bachelor’s degree in inorganic chemistry. He went on to attend Purdue University where he received his masters and Ph.D. in inorganic research chemistry.
Leo worked as a research chemist at Monsanto for over 30 years where he was granted numerous patents and became a Science Fellow in 1972. Leo served on the PTA at Immaculate Conception and founded the Science Library. For over six years, he was a Boy Scout leader for Troop 81, where many of his scouts earned their Eagle Award. Leo was an avid photographer and talented gardener. His ability to capture natural beauty with his camera afforded him many opportunities for photographing on behalf of charitable causes. Likewise, his green thumb made him famous for keeping the neighborhood well-stocked with fruit and vegetables.
Leo cherished the time he spent with his family during reunions in Kettering and New York. He dearly loved his children and grandchildren and never stopped asking them about their goals in life. When Leo was asked recently about the most important message he would share with his family and future family, he emphatically replied that one must receive a great education. Never stop learning. Leo was always a great role model for this.
Leo’s family will greet friends from 9:00 am-10:30 am on Friday, March 18 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Centerville, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am with Fr. Tom Schmidt presiding. Leo will be laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Leo Parts may be made to the Kettering Parks Foundation by mail to: 3600 Shroyer Rd., Kettering, OH 45429 or by visiting www.ketteringparksfoundation.org . Arrangements are in the care of Westbrock Funeral Home.
Addresses for GPS:
St. Francis of Assisi 6245 Wilmington Pike, Centerville, OH 45459
Woodland Cemetery 118 Woodland Ave. Dayton, OH 45409
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