Robert (Bob) Leroy Leeper Sr

"If I had my life to do over again...
I'd find you sooner, so I could love you longer"
...your loving wife, Robbi

Bob's Life

Robert (Bob) Leroy Leeper, Sr., age 81, of Bowdon, Georgia, passed away peacefully in his home on the morning of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, with his wife, Roberta (Robbi) Jo Leeper, by his side.

He was born in Avella, Pennsylvania, on January 7, 1944, the firstborn son of Edwin and Elsie Mae Leeper. Edwin Leeper was overseas, serving his Country in the United States Army, when Bob was born, and Elsie wrote in Bob’s Baby Book that the U.S. Military would not allow cables to service members at that time. Edwin met his son for the first time on Christmas of 1945, just shy of Bob’s second birthday.

Bob grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Avella Primary and Avella High School. He excelled in Algebra, Geometry, Physics, Trigonometry, and French. He was a member of the High School band and played several instruments. He was on the Wrestling Team, where he acquired the nickname “Otto” because at the time there was a popular TV show called “The Life of Riley”. In the show, Riley’s friend and co-worker’s name was Otto. The actor who played Otto was a professional wrestler and coach in his real life, and he also wore a “flat-top” just like Bob’s. After High School, he attended Pennsylvania State University, where he studied technical engineering, calculus, trigonometry, physics, electronics, and circuitry.

Bob continued his education through the Community College of the Air Force and acquired an Associate of Science Degree in Instrumentation Technology. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology in 1981 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. While working for Lockheed, he continued his education, earning a Master of Science in Technical Management in 1988 from Southern College of Technology.

Bob had numerous titles and wore many hats. He was a husband, a son, a grandson, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, a boss, a business owner, an inventor, an employee, a co-worker, a confidant, a volunteer, a hunting buddy, a drinking buddy, a retired Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, and many, many people’s friend whose presence brought warmth to everyone who knew him.

Bob was the admired, cherished, and beloved Husband for thirty-one plus years to Robbi and will forever be the love of her life. Bob and Robbi met in 1990 at Bob’s favorite watering hole, and they became a couple almost instantly. Who said you cannot pick up a good man in a bar? Serendipitously, they were both newly divorced, with their divorces finalized in the same Cobb County courthouse within three months of each other. They continued to date even when Robbi was relocated by her company to Miami in 1991. But in 1994, after numerous frequent-flyer miles had been racked up, they decided they really didn’t want to be apart anymore and married (eloped) on July 7, 1994, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on their way back from visiting his dad in Avella.

Bob had three younger siblings. He is survived by his brother Edwin Autry Leeper, Jr., and his wife Judy Leeper; their two children, Michael and Nicole Leeper. Michael has twin sons, Zachery and Benjamin, and Nicole has two children, Conner and Duncan, all of Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Keith Leeper, Sr., in 2017, who died of pancreatic cancer, leaving Bob’s sister-in-law, Laurie Leeper, and their two sons, John Keith Leeper II and Matthew Edwin Leeper. Matthew has one daughter, Eliana Leeper. Laurie and both sons live in Avella, Pennsylvania. Then there is Bob’s “little” sister, Carole Ann Leeper East and Jeffrey Glenn East of Chandler, Arizona. Bob adored Carole from the moment he saw her. He said he saved his cookies from lunch to bring home to her. Carole and Jeffrey have one son, Jeffrey Glenn East II of Dover, Delaware. Jeffrey and his wife Corrine have two sons, Gabriel and Azriel.

Bob leaves behind three children. He was a great Father and will be greatly missed by his daughter, Carla Deanne (Deni) Leeper Graves, and his son and namesake, Robert (Rob) Leroy Leeper, Jr., both of Murphy, North Carolina. He was loved and admired by Robbi’s daughter, April Ann Rogers, and her fiancé, Christopher (Chris) Leon Fowler of Bowdon, Georgia.

Bob had a total of six Grandchildren. He loved them all on both his side and Robbi’s. He was a proud Papa with his first Grandchild, Elizabeth (Beth) Marie Leeper Loudy of Murphy, North Carolina, who fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer and preceded him in death in December 2025. She will be missed by the whole family for her sweet, loving heart and will always be remembered as “Papa’s Girl.” He is survived by his grandson, William (Billy) Ryan Wilson, and his wife, Shannon Wilson, of Murphy, North Carolina. Billy operates his own business, which Bob was ever so proud of. Billy gave Bob one of his company hats. He wore it every day since then, whenever he was not in the house. Robbi’s Grandchildren respected and loved his quiet, gentle nature, and, being the Trekkie he was (because he learned it from his own mother), he gave them an appreciation for Star Trek. He watched a lot of Westerns because he had always wanted to be a cowboy when he grew up. Because of this, they also became fond of what he called “Shoot-’em-Ups” and “Oaters” TV shows and movies. He is survived by his grandchildren, Tabitha (Tabbi) Nicole Rogers Johnson and her husband Nicholas (Nick) Troy Mario Johnson of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Makayla Brooke (Chase) Rogers of Marietta, Georgia, who gave him an appreciation for Teletubbies; Michael Joseph (Sam) Rogers of Carrollton, Georgia, who loved to watch Bonanza with him; and April’s son Gauge Mykal Stahl, who at Christmas time saw sleigh bells on Bob’s desk where his European mounts were hung and thought his grandpa had killed Rudolph. He was finally consoled, realizing that his grandpa could never have done this. Later, he could be seen riding in the trailer behind the lawn mower on multiple occasions as Bob rode him all over the farm. He also helped him pull nails out of boards and, all the while, talked his grandpa’s ears off.

At the time of his death, Bob had 5 great-grandchildren. They are listed as follows: Jaxon Carter Loudy (son of Granddaughter Beth and Mike Loudy), Arlo Ryan Wilson and Evren Gage Wilson, sons, and Aria Fern Wilson, daughter (children of Billy and Shannon Wilson), and Jamere Marcus Johnson (son of Nick and Tabbi Johnson).

Bob loved his family. Bob enjoyed deer and turkey hunting at his Hunting camp, which he was a member of for more than 30 years. He enjoyed the company of “the boys” and “cold drinks.” He was a connoisseur of chocolate and considered it a food group. Bob adored babies and loved to hold them for hours. If you had ever seen him holding a baby, you would know the look of comfort and contentment. He loved crossword puzzles, but if they were too easy, he would put them down. He had the paper delivered for crosswords and the funny papers. He loved woodworking and all home improvement shows; any kind of Sci-Fi book, show, or movie; Alaskan Shows; Game of Thrones; Men in Black; and old-school cartoons like the Far Side and Marvin the Martian. His favorite movie was “The Shawshank Redemption.” He enjoyed gardening and riding his tractor. He was an excellent cook and had his favorite cooking shows. He learned to can and pressure can and made wonderful jams from the figs he grew. He made fabulous biscuits the very first time he tried. Robbi told him, “This just doesn’t happen to most people,” and his reply was, “Well, I just followed the recipe.” He also made fabulous oatmeal raisin cookies.

Together, Bob and Robbi found and bought the home of their dreams on 27.5 acres in Carroll County. The house was built in the 1940’s and was in dire need of something way beyond TLC. Additions had been poorly added on three times over those sixty years, and there were still exterior walls, some with windows, leading into the additions. The house had finally acquired indoor plumbing just a few years before they bought it. At the time, their children thought the “grown-ups” had lost their minds, moving into this run-down house so far from where they used to live. But Bob and Robbi had a vision, and with the funds from selling a couple of houses in Cobb County, a new mortgage, a home improvement loan from the bank, and through determination, blood, sweat, and tears during almost 2 years of weekends spent there, they turned it into their dream home, filled with love, laughter, support, and cherished memories.

Throughout his 81 years, Bob was admired for his hard work and generosity. He was a very regimented man and always, always on time. Whether offering a helping hand to a neighbor or sharing words of encouragement, he was an inspiration to those around him. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, USA. He read the Bible every morning of his life, prayed before every meal, and strived to live by example. He was a steadfast presence in the lives of friends and family, ready to listen, lend advice, or share a story. He was a quiet man, always honest and sincere, and never boastful. Those who had the opportunity to know Bob will remember him for his gentle spirit and his dedication to those he loved most. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion and perseverance that will continue to influence and guide his family.

A Celebration of Life

A “Celebration of Life” will be held to honor Bob’s life on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at his home at 642 N. Highway 100, Bowdon, GA 30108. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to come together to meet and greet, share stories and memories, and express gratitude for the many ways Bob made the world a better place. We will have dinner on the grounds; it will be a very casual affair, BYOB. You are invited to come any time after 11:00 am and stay until dark if you wish (we’ll build a fire). There will be plenty of good food, desserts, conversation, and stories to enjoy. If you would like to bring a dish, it will be most welcome, but not at all expected. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to bring a small tree, or an azalea, or any flowering green thing to plant around his gravesite, that would be wonderful too, but also not required or expected. We want everyone in attendance to have a good time because Bob loved to throw parties back in the day, and that is what he would want. We hope to see you all on the 19th.

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