Leonard A. Yerkes ’58

Leonard died peacefully Sept. 2, 2014, from complications related to prostate cancer.

He attended St. George’s School prior to Princeton. A politics major, his thesis was topic was about present-day Kenya. Leonard joined Colonial Club and later was elected its president. He rowed on the 150-pound crew, which won the Thames Cup at Henley in 1956. During his senior year he roomed with Toby Clyde, Dave Robb, and Lew Ross.

After graduation, Leonard served three years in the Navy and then embarked on a distinguished career in wealth management with Wells Fargo, Sutro & Co., and Trust Company of the West. Leonard remarried in 1997 and moved to Seattle to open an office for Canterbury Consulting, a financial-advisory firm from which he retired in June 2014. Over the years Leonard was a dedicated trustee and board member of Planned Parenthood, the Rainier Club, Seattle Symphony, and the Seattle Girls’ School.

Leonard was a natural leader, a good listener, and thoughtful in his responses. He passed along his wisdom while remaining open to that of others. He was serious when appropriate but had a quick sense of humor and loved to laugh until he cried. He was incredibly proud of his association with Princeton and was delighted to become president of the class.

The class extends deepest sympathy to his wife, Jane; his daughters, Amy ’84 and Faith ’87; son Philip; and Jane’s children, Charlotte and Thatcher.