Robert Edward Leach, aged 77, passed away on November 6, 2025 on a beautiful fall day in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Born on July 4, 1948, to Adeline and Bernard Leach in Long Branch, New Jersey, Robert was an avid fisherman, lifelong engineer and supportive father and grandfather.
Robert was a proud US Navy Veteran who served his country in the Vietnam War. As an engineer, he worked for Carolina Power and Light and Duke Energy in many fossil facilities, but the majority of his career was at Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant. Robert made lifelong friends at Shearon Harris that became like family, especially keeping in touch with him in the later years of life. If there was ever a person who could engineer a fix for most problems, it was Robert. When he wasn’t at work he could be found welding under a truck, fixing a tractor for a friend, cooking a hog at family gatherings or filling a live well with fish. He found joy in helping others.
Robert is survived by his children Bryan Leach (Sheree), Suzanne Hinson (Clay) and Patrick Leach (Shayla). Grandchildren Conner Leach, Madeline Hinson, Alex Chisolm, Savannah Leach and Braedon Leach.
A celebration of Robert’s life will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in Robert’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
