Leslie H. Zuck

Leslie H. Zuck passed away peacefully on his 82nd birthday at Moorberg Cottage on the campus of St. John's Lutheran Ministries. He was born in Scobey on June 25, 1934, the youngest son of Myrtle and Leo Zuck. Les and his family lived in Fort Peck and Denison, Texas, before settling in Billings. Les attended McKinley, Jefferson and Lincoln schools and graduated from Billings Senior High in 1952. Les served in the U.S. Army, during which time he was at Fort Ord and the Panama Canal Zone. After his honorable discharge, he attended Montana State College (MSU) in Bozeman and earned a degree in mechanical engineering in the class of 1958. After college, Les went to Seattle to work for the Naval Department for a year. He then returned to Billings, married Darlene Solberg, and they had two daughters. They moved to Warrensburg, Mo., where their youngest daughter was born and Les was a field engineer for Boeing on the Minuteman missiles. In 1965. the young Zuck family returned to Billings, and Les went to work for James E. Rawley Company/Applied Control Equipment out of Denver. Les maintained a regional office in Billings for 30 years, working as a sales engineer in the oil and gas industry. During this time, he and his brother John invested in and developed numerous properties across Montana. Les was a creative problem solver who enjoyed design work. After retirement, Les enjoyed his shop where he had lots of tools and messes! He crafted many pieces of furniture. Skiing and fly-fishing were activities he enjoyed for years. He served as president of Magic City Fly Fishers for seven years. His skiing and fishing friends meant very much to him. The Zuck family has many special memories from time spent at the cabin they built south of Red Lodge. Les and Darlene traveled to Hawaii, to Europe three times, and to various locations in the United States and Canada. They had great times together, and they have had wonderful neighbors throughout their 56-year marriage. Les loved his family and worked hard for many years to provide for them. We will miss him, but hold him in our hearts forever. Les was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, the Elks and a lifetime member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

His parents and brother Leroy preceded Les in death. He is survived by his wife Darlene and three daughters: Diana (Dennis) Ibarra, Barbara, and Bonnie (Bob) Eichenberger. He is so loved by his four grandchildren, Daniel, Eric, Abby (Kyle), and Charlie.

The family wishes to thank the caring and competent staff at St. John's, including those at Senior Day Services and the Moorberg Cottage. Memorial gifts are invited to St. John's at 3940 Rimrock Road, Billings, MT 59102; or the Alzheimer's Association - Montana chapter at 3010 11th Ave. N., Billings, MT 59101.