Was War Hero and Bruins Booster
Pacific Palisades resident Robert H. (Bob) Leebody passed away on September 26 at Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center, with his wife of 44 years, Jackie, at his side. He was 88. Born in Jackson, Michigan, on March 16, 1919 to George and Mary Leebody, Bob moved to Los Angeles at an early age. After attending Los Angeles High School, he entered UCLA and graduated in 1941. He joined the Army Air Corps soon after and was commissioned as a bombardier. Stationed in Italy, Bob flew 50 combat missions as a member of the 721st Squadron, 450th Bomb Group, also known as the ‘Cottontails.’ He was selected as his group’s lead bombardier as his B-24 Liberator ‘Tuff Ship’ participated in the mission that destroyed the vital Ploesti oil refineries in Romania. During his tour of duty, Bob was the only officer in his squadron to shoot down an enemy fighter plane while filling in as a gunner for a wounded crew member. Leebody was also credited with bombing a railroad yard in France, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one cluster. Bob vowed to his pilot and other crew members that if he survived the war, he would play beach volleyball every day until his money ran out. He did just that, at Sorrento and State Beach, and was noted as a regular winner in the book ‘The Sands of Time,’ the history of beach volleyball. A 44-year resident of the Palisades, he was renowned as a truly funny guy, and all who knew him shall sorely miss his humor and wit. Bob’s working career was with California Blue Shield, where he rose to the position of senior vice president, sales and marketing, until his retirement in 1986. A popular booster and devoted UCLA Bruin, Bob was a founding member and president of the Bruin Hoopsters and served several terms as president of the Bruin Bench. His friendship with ‘Coach’ John Wooden spanned many decades. In addition to his wife Jackie, Bob is survived by his mother-in-law Frances Knight, brother-in-law Richard Knight (wife Shelly), nephews Kevin and Geoff Knight and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. His sister Jane preceded him in death. A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 12 at Corpus Christi Church, corner of Carey and Sunset. A celebration to bid Bob ‘Aloha’ will immediately follow at the Beach Club, 210 Palisades Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed at Friends of Animals Foundation, 2336 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles 90064.
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