Leon G. Fink (91), of Manchester, New Hampshire, passed away on October 13, 2023, surrounded by members of his close family. Leon was born to Maurice and Elizabeth Fink (née Rudman) on May 1, 1932, in Malden, Massachusetts. A talented high school athlete with an aptitude for science and engineering, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a meteorological officer and gunner, flying missions around the world during the Korean War and after. After military service, he earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. A dedicated quality control engineer, Leon worked for over 30 years in aerospace, consumer electronics, and at the pioneering computer manufacturer Digital Electronics Corporation (DEC). After his retirement, he worked as a bookseller for many more years, notable for his charm and excellence at customer service.
Leon enjoyed both playing and watching tennis, and was a confident dancer, skier, and golfer. He was devoted to his profession, engineering, and his love for problem-solving spilled over into hobbies, including computer programming, crosswords, sudoku, and other logic puzzles. An amateur astronomer, he remained interested in aerospace science and technology until his final days. Those who grew up around Leon appreciated his way with spoonerisms and shaggy dog stories; beneath a quiet exterior was a fiercely independent mind that never took received wisdom as dogma.
Leon is survived by his wife, Lynne (née Robinson); his four children, Michelle Derenberger (née Rambo), Robert Fink, David A. Fink, and Jane Fink; his daughters-in-law Kimberly Fox and Martha May Fink; and his granddaughter Olivia May Fink. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Frances Ullian, and her husband Bernard Ullian. Leon will be interred at the New Hampshire State Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen, New Hampshire in a private ceremony at a future date. For those wanting to make a donation in Leon’s memory, your generosity will be appreciated at the following non-profits: Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County, NH; (https://hcmow.org/general-donation-form) or, to Liberty House NH, (Liberty House remembers, honors and supports our Veterans); (https://libertyhousenh.org/donate).
J.N. Boufford & Sons is in charge of arrangements.
For more information and online guestbook please visit www.bouffordfuneralhome.com.