Dr. Leonard J. Elmer, Sr

Dr. Leonard J. Elmer, Sr., retired dentist, born in Hammond, Louisiana on 8 May 1917, and a native of New Orleans, La died on 6 June 2011 after complications following open heart surgery.  His death was unexpected and he had anticipated taking trips to Russia, Dallas, Orlando and Las Vegas with his family this summer. His will to live life to the fullest was exemplified in his daily activities and involvement in the community.

He was a graduate of Jesuit High School (1933) and Loyola University (1938).  He was a full-time instructor in Loyola University Dental School from 1938-1942.    He was attending medical school prior to being pulled to teach dentistry full-time during WWII.

He served in the Army Dental Corps in World War II (1942-1946) and was stationed overseas in India and the South Pacific.  He was in private practice in New Orleans from 1946-1950  and entered the U.S. Air Force at the outbreak of the Korean war in 1950.   During his active duty military experience, he met his wife, Beverly Kathleen Elmer, and married her in 1959.   He decided to the make service a career and retired from the USAF in 1967.  While active duty, he was head of the dental clinic at McCoy AFB in Orlando, Florida and also the dentist assigned to a select B-29 squadron during WWII.   He, in fact, was recently interviewed by the National World War II Museum to discuss his dental service during this time period.

He devoted himself to his two children and his wife, Beverly (also a USAF officer (nurse)) and was the epitome of what a father should be. 

He was a life member of the New Orleans, Louisiana and American Dental Associations.  

His life-long interest in conjuring kept him very active and engaged in magic.  He was a member of The Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM).  He has been awarded the Order of Merlin Excelsior (for those members with over 60 years of membership; he had 65) by the IBM. He also recently reunited with Ring 27 of New Orleans.  He was known as an avid photographer and has gone to great lengths to get the “perfect shot”.  He took his camera wherever he went and loved taking pictures of his family.

He is survived by his devoted and grateful children: daughter Dr. Kathleen B. Elmer and son, Leonard J. Elmer, Jr.  He has a sister, Mary Alice Long (currently residing in California) and 3 granddaughters:  Sarah K. Parks, Rachel C. Elmer, Stephanie L. Elmer. 

Visitation and Chapel Mass will be held at Lakelawn Funeral Home in Metarie, La, and internment will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. 

He loved his wife dearly and her loss in 2007 affected him profoundly.  Despite his loss, he continued to care for his granddaughter, Sarah, with whom he lived and shared his wisdom and love for life and magic with her.  His loss cannot be measured and his contribution to his family is profound.   His legacy of love, life and gusto for making every day count are remembered by his actions. 

Visitation will be held at Lakelawn Funeral Home in Metarie, La  (Monday, 13 June, 0900-1100) with Mass to follow. He will be interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas at 1pm on Wed, 15 June.  In lieu of flowers, Masses are preferred.