Shortly after World War II, Harold R. Leisch and a group of residents united to restart the McHenry County Fair, which had been on hiatus during the war. Mr. Leisch, a longtime Woodstock farmer, thought the fair was a golden opportunity for young people to showcase their talents and have fun.
“He thought it would be good for the farming community and the youngsters to get back into that,” said his son Roland.
Mr. Leisch felt strongly about being involved in the community and was a former member of the School District 10 Board of Education, now Woodstock Community Unit School District 200, and the Woodstock Zoning Board of Appeals.
“He loved Woodstock and he was a gregarious-type person. He was always interested in people and very caring,” his son said.
Mr. Leisch, 89, of Woodstock died Thursday, Aug. 11, of heart failure in Hearthstone Manor Nursing Home, Woodstock.
Born in Maple Park in Kane County, Mr. Leisch was raised in Woodstock and started farming when he was 8 years old, working on his grandparents’ dairy farm. He attended Woodstock Community High School while continuing to farm. In 1936, he married Eileen A. DuBuque, whom he met at a dance. The couple continued to farm, but in 1963 Mr. Leisch began to work at the Woodstock Farm & Fleet store. He worked in farm supply for 25 years before he retired in 1988 at age 72.
In his late 50s, Mr. Leisch and his wife moved into Woodstock and stopped farming.
“But he loved being out in the open. He loved being outside and being with the animals,” said his daughter Donna Howard.
But he also loved being around people, his family said.
“He had a natural affinity for making friends,” his son said.
Mr. Leisch had been a Republican precinct committeeman since 1951 and was active in local politics until about two years ago, his daughter said. In the 1950s he served on the school board, and in the 1970s he volunteered as a member of the zoning appeals board. He also was a longtime Farm Bureau director.
Other survivors include his wife; a brother, Calvin; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Saturday until noon services in Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock.
