Leonard John Walsh

TORRANCE – Leonard John Walsh died peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by loving family. Len was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Helen Welch, and his brother, Thomas A. Welch. He is survived by Keiko, his loving wife of 50 years; his sister Colleen Kirwan; children Victoria, Christina (Rutter), Leonard, Alexandra (Williams), and Helena; grandchildren John, Emily, Alexander, Zachary, Charlie, Landon, and Aurielle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born on November 29, 1931 in Arlington, Massachusetts, Len led an exemplary life through service and devotion to his family. Len served in the U.S. Army and Air Force in Korea during the Korean War and earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1958 from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan, where he met his future wife, Keiko Ogose. An avid learner and critical thinker, Len earned scholarships and continued his studies of the economic policies of the Far East, Middle East and Europe. Returning briefly to the States, Len attended the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C., which was founded by his cousin Edmund A. Walsh.

In 1960, Len joined Worthington Corporation in Japan as its Far East marketing manager. He then worked for McAffrey Corporation in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Len then spent a year studying the Chinese language at the Taiwan Institute in Taipei. In 1970, Len joined Nello L. Teer Company as assistant vice president, managing its construction projects in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and the construction of the Washington, D.C. Metro system until 1977. Len also authored two books, Read Japanese Today and Why U.S. Intelligence Fails to Steal Enemy Secrets – And What Can Be Done About It.

Len returned to the States for good in 1978 and entered the California real estate market and later joined SMS Systems Maintenance Services, Inc. as its regional sales manager in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Although Len retired in 2006, his work ethic and desire to remain active never ceased. After his retirement, Len researched and prepared terrorist threat assessments as a liaison to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

Len, also known as Grampy, personified reason, logic, and certitude. He possessed an unbending character and a disarming wit. An accomplished and well-traveled man with worldly experiences, Len's thirst for knowledge and curiosity were his hallmarks. Yet, more than anything, he took greatest pride in his family and loved them dearly. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Memorial Service to celebrate a life well lived will be held Thursday, November 20th at11:00a.m. at Green Hills Mortuary, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Memorial contributions can be made to The Amyloidosis Center Research Fund, 72 East Concord Street K-503, Boston, MA 02118 or on-line at www.BU.EDU/Amyloid/donate in lieu of flowers.

Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275