Dr. Robert F. Leyen

Dr. Robert Fitzwater Leyen died at his Knoxville home Saturday, July 08, 2006 of complications of chronic pulmonary disease complicated by a long history of smoking, which he had given up over 20 yrs ago. Born August 24th, 1924 in Clarksville, Iowa (although he always claimed ''West By God Virginia'' as his home until moving to Tennessee.) Born the second child to his parents Gladys Elizabeth Fitzwater, daughter of Methodist missionaries serving Native Americans and George Wilhelm Leyen, one of three brothers who emigrated from Holland to the US in 1917, where they established a Feed and Grain store and brokered horses for the US Calvary. Education: Charleston High school, in Charleston, West Virginia The College of William and Mary University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Georgetown Medical School, Washington DC Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia Internship Emory University Internal Medicine Residency Emory University Chief Resident in Internal Medicine Service to his country: Navy seaman, WW II, assembled mines at the York Town Naval Depot. Air Force Flight Surgeon, Korean War, was stationed in Maryville, TN. Married Wilma Wouters of Atlanta, also the daughter of Dutch emigrants. Returned to Maryville in 1955 and established himself in the practice of Internal Medicine at Blount Memorial Hospital, which he continued until October 2004. He eventually moved to Rockford where he and his wife Wilma built their dream home on the highest point in Blount County, High Top Mountain. Following the death of Wilma, his wife of 24 yrs, he married Ruthie Edmondson who had also lost her husband Jack Edmondson. She was at that time Senator Howard H. Baker's East Tennessee Field Representative. They later moved from Rockford back to Maryville where they bought and remodeled a home near the Maryville College campus. Prior to her death from cancer in 2000 they shared interests in politics, travel, the arts, The University of Tennessee, multiple charities and service organizations. Following the death of his beloved Ruthie, he married Harriet ''Happy'' Booker of Knoxville enjoying their common love for music and the arts together until her death in 2002. In 2004 he moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. Joined the Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church and continued as a member of Cherokee Country Club and the Knoxville Symphony Guild. His older brother William Leyen of West Virginia preceded him in death. His son Robert W. Leyen, MD who lives with his wife Jennifer and their daughter Elizabeth in the Seattle, Washington area where he practices orthopedic surgery, survives him in death. Also surviving him is his most cherished friend, Nancy Biddle of Knoxville, who brought him to Christ through her love and example. He will also be missed by Ruthie's children, Diana ''Dede'' Covert of Arizona, John Edmondson of North Carolina, David Edmondson of Georgia, and Sarah Markey of Texas all of whom Dad considers family, as they loved both him and their mother celebrating their lives together. Also by Mrs. Betty Brewer his office manager for 24 years. A memorial service is planned for 3PM Tuesday, July 11th at the Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church 3700 Keowee Avenue Knoxville, TN 37919, The Rev. Dr. William R. Barron presiding. Please make donations in his name to REACH Ministries, helping children and their families affected by HIV/AIDS and other life threatening illnesses. REACH MINISTRIES 419 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Tacoma, WA 98405 Phone: 253.383.7616 fax: 253.682.1652 email:info@reachministries.org DIRECTIONS From I-40/I-75: Take the Alcoa Hwy (Hwy 129) exit, then take the Kingston Pike exit. Go west on Kingston Pike to the Cherokee Blvd. traffic light. [then follow directions from Kingston Pike below].From McGHEE TYSON AIRPORT / MARYVILLE: Alcoa Hwy (Hwy 129) into Knoxville, exit onto Kingston Pike, go west on Kingston Pike to the Cherokee Blvd. traffic light. [then follow directions from Kingston Pike below].From KINGSTON PIKE: Turn into Sequoyah Hills at Cherokee Blvd. traffic light (turn left if going west, turn right if going east). Continue on Cherokee Blvd. for ½ mile, then turn right onto Kenesaw Ave., continue on Kenesaw approximately ½ mile to Keowee Ave. Church is on right at corner of Kenesaw and Keowee. 865-522-9804 865-523-9446 (fax) webadmin@sequoyahchurch.org McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville in charge 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com