Leigh Joseph Gard

Gard Leigh Joseph, 71, of Brookings, OR, died in his home on June 3, 2002, following a 3-year battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 2, 1931 in Red Wing, MN, the only child of Myron & Verneil Gard. He was raised in Red Wing and graduated from Red Wing High School. Leigh graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Law in 1957. Following law school, Leigh was employed by a Kansas City firm until relocating to Minneapolis, where he worked with Joe Robbie. Leigh served as an Assistant U.S. District Attorney under the Kennedy administration. Later, he went into private practice and also worked for the Veterans Administration. Leigh married Phyllis Schulz in 1967, and they made their home in the Minneapolis area. Together they raised 3 daughters. In 1966, Leigh accepted a position with the State of Minnesota as a workers compensation attorney. In 1980, Gov. Al Quie appointed him to the Workers Compensation Court of Appeals. In 1984, he resumed work as an administrative law judge until his retirement in 1995. Following retirement, Leigh & Phyllis built a lake home near Amery, WI, where they spent 3 years. They then traveled extensively, both in the U.S. and abroad. In 2000, they settled in Brookings, OR. Leigh was foremost a man of integrity. He was respected by his peers, and will be remembered as diligent and honest in all matters. Away from work and in retirement, Leigh loved the outdoors, especially hiking along the southern Oregon coast. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of Brookings, OR; daughter & son-in-law, Jennifer & Barney Coelho of Fridley, MN, and their children, Allison and Luke; daughter & son-in-law, Carolyn & Omar Curiel of San Gabriel, CA, their daughter Olivia and expected second child; and daughter, Ellen Gard & fiance Jim Hubbard of Little Rock, AR. Memorials can be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, or Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City. A private family gathering is planned.

Published on June 9, 2002