Obituaries

Leo M. Walsh, age 93, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2024, in Middleton, Wisconsin while at the Attic Angel Community.

Leo was born on January 16, 1931, and raised with five younger siblings on a diversified family farm near Fort Dodge, Iowa. After graduating from Barnum High School in 1948, he enrolled at Iowa State University, receiving both a B.S. degree in Agricultural Education and a ROTC commission in the United States Air Force in 1952. He spent two years on active duty, primarily in Japan, and then taught high school vocational agriculture in Iowa. Through this experience of working with students and local farmers, he realized he needed additional formal education, enrolling in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a Ph.D. in Soil Science in 1959.

Leo began his teaching career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1964, first serving as an Assistant Professor in the Soil Science Department, then as an Associate Professor, and subsequently rising through the ranks, eventually becoming full Professor and Chair. Leo’s long and impressive career culminated in his appointment as Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) in 1979 and served in this capacity until 1991. He saw the college through some tumultuous times and during his tenure as Dean, as U.S. agriculture faced its most difficult financial challenges since the 1930s.

Unwavering, Leo kept the College at the top of its game. This included the establishment of several new programs, including the formation of the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, the Farm Financial Analysis Program, the Academic Scholars/Merit Scholarship Program, the Center for Dairy Research, and the strengthening of international programming in the College. As dean, he also led the development of student and stakeholder research and outreach programs, such as the Allen Centennial Garden, the O.J. Noer Turf Grass Research and Education Facility, and the West Madison Agricultural Research Station. Leo also played a key role in the establishment and initial funding of the UW Biotechnology Center. In addition, as a UW donor, Leo established 3 undergraduate scholarships, a graduate fellowship, and a lectureship in Soil Science. Leo reflected on his roles as an educator, administrator, and donor saying, " I have been honored to work with very talented and dedicated students. They are our hope for tomorrow."

Colleagues praised his deep commitment to agriculture at all levels. In 1982, Leo became the chair of the Division of Agriculture for the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. In 1987, President H.W. Bush appointed him to the Board of International Food and Agricultural Development, where he advised the United States Agency for International Development on programs to promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource protection in developing nations.

Leo enjoyed traveling, wintering in Florida, his affiliation with the Kiwanis club, fishing, golfing, attending UW athletic events, playing cards, and walking his dog.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Catherine, his first wife Carole, his brotherss Greg and Kevin, as well as sister-in-law Mary Ellen and brother-in-law Don Sturdevant, nephew Mark Andres Walsh and niece Cecilia Walsh.

Leo is survived by his wife Hanna Boekhoff-Walsh, her daughter Grace (Bob), her grandchildren Sam and Abby, his brothers Mark (Amy) and David (Sue), his sister Sheila Sturdevant, and 22 nieces and nephews.The family wishes to thank Agrace and the Attic Angel Community for their professional and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the River Food Pantry, the Nature Conservancy, Agrace Hospice or Attic Angel.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 5, 2024, at Ryan Funeral Home, 5701 Odana Road, Madison from 4:00PM – 6:00PM with a Vigil Serve with Words of Remembrance at 5:30PM. An additional visitation will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison on Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 10:30AM – 11:00AM before the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM. A family burial will be held at a later date in Barnum, Iowa.

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Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000