IN MEMORIAM

"He was very well trained, intelligent, a superb and innovative surgeon," recalls Leland Spaulding, MD, who was part of the same call system from 1958 to 1973.

Dr. Leonard was all of that, agrees Richard Kendrick, MD, but was also memorable for another reason: "Pat Leonard was the only American I know who could get away with wearing a beret, which he often did," he said. He frequently resembled someone from the Paris Left Bank, wearing a beret and wide-wale corduroy pants and brandishing a cane.

Dr. Leonard was active in the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society since 1953, and had served on its Crippled Childrens, Indigent Care, Traffic Safety, and Fee Grievance Committees.

He was born in Anselmo, Nebraska, on November 16, 1918. He died on February 3, after a long illness.

According to SSVMS records, Patrick Leonard received his bachelor's degree in 1940 and his MD three years later, both at the University of Nebraska. He completed his internship at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis, in 1944 and served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946, working in field hospitals in the Philippines and New Guinea. He returned to Nebraska to practice and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Ohio State University in 1953.

Dr. Kendrick recalls meeting Dr. Leonard that same year at a Navy hospital in San Diego. At one point they talked about Sacramento. Dr. Kendrick reported the quality of medicine was high, and its physicians seemed to welcome newcomers. "I waxed eloquent about Sacramento, and I thought that was the end of it," he said.

A short time later, Dr. Leonard applied for a position at the I Street Clinic (now the Med Clinic of Sacramento) and began practicing there in August 1953. He was at the Clinic until 1958, when he went into private practice near Mercy General Hospital, and Dr. Spaulding became associated with him. Eventually, Dr. Spaulding needed two surgeries, and asked Dr. Leonard to perform them. "I had every confidence in him," he said. "I knew his capabilities, and knew I would be happy with his care."

In 1976, Dr. Leonard joined Kaiser-Permanente as a staff surgeon; and he retired in 1985, according to SSMVS records.

Dr. Leonard was a political conservative, a proud Irishman, a dedicated Catholic, and a devoted family man. "He was very well liked," said Dr. Spaulding. "He was an extrovert, a raconteur, very entertaining and very thoughtful. He always seemed to have opinions on everything but didn't force them on anybody."

He was the father of nine, and his wife and children were the focus of his time and energy. He actively supported Jesuit and St. Francis High Schools, Sacred Heart Parish and school, the Serra Club of Sacramento, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Sutter Lawn Tennis Club. For many years, he volunteered his time to care for Carmelite Sisters in Sacramento.

He was not a musician, but was passionate about traditional Jazz; He was active in the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society when the Jazz Jubilee was launched. He was later a member of the Society's Foundation Fund Development Committee.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Claire, nine children and 15 grandchildren.