Henry Andrew Leeuwenburg

Hal was born in 1937 in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Henry Andrew Leeuwenburg and Emma Grey Rivenbark Leeuwenburg, also known as "Greggie". Henry worked for Coca Cola, and Greggie was a nurse, but chose to be at home raising her family.

In Hal's adult years, whenever he prayed, he thanked God for his good parents.

Hal and his brother Wilton, who was four years younger, had a carefree childhood. They enjoyed fun times at their Aunt Margaret's house on the inland waterway, doing some boating while the adults prepared shrimp and crab.

Their Uncle Ford Rivenbark, who was a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Wallace, N.C., owned a small furniture store. He took a half day off every Wednesday, and took his nieces and nephews boating. He taught them how to water-ski, which they continued to enjoy into their adult years.

Hal had a goal of becoming a pilot, so he made a plan. After high school graduation, he entered East Carolina University, where he spent four years in Air Force ROTC. He graduated with a Bachelor's of Science June 24, 1960, and received his military commission the same day.

He married his high school sweetheart, Mollie Smith, in 1960. They adopted John, born in 1964, then adopted Drew, born in 1969.

During his 6 ½ years of active duty in the Air Force, Hal flew the T34, T37, T33, C123, and C 130.

He then began flying for Delta Airlines in 1967. He began as a flight engineer on the DC 6, DC 8, and L 100. In 1972, he upgraded to L100 captain and instructor.

Later he upgraded to DC 9 captain and instructor, and taught for 10 years. He was an instructor on the 757 and 767 from 1982-1992. He flew the line for the last five years of his career, on the 757 and 767, retiring in 1997, completing 30 years of service with Delta Airlines.

Hal and Mollie were members of Eastminster Presbyterian in Stone Mountain, where he was an elder, and they taught Sunday School. He was a late-night host at Clifton Shelter for homeless men.

Hal was passionate about exercise. He completed the Ironman triathlon world championship in Kona, Hawaii on October 6, 1984, at the age of 47. 8000 athletes applied to compete, and Hal was one of the 1200 selected. This event consists of a 26.2 mile run, a 2.4 mile swim, and a 112 mile bike ride. Hal completed all this in 13 ½ hours.

Mollie passed away from kidney failure at age 52, in 1992.

A year later, Hal met Lynn, who was an R.N. employed at Delta Airlines First Aid. It was love at first sight for both of them. They married in August of 1995.Hal was an excellent step-father to Katherine, who was 13 at the time of the wedding, and Andrew, who was 16.

After retirement, Hal enjoyed delivering meals on wheels until his health prohibited that. Lynn and Hal worked in a food pantry together. In 2000, Hal was baptized by immersion and joined Rehoboth Baptist Church, where he and Lynn worked in Awana . He was wonderful with the children. In February of 2010, Hal and Lynn joined Lilburn First Baptist, and found it to be a loving and welcoming congregation.

Hal had many medical issues to deal with, and met them with a gracious attitude. Many people have said how he inspired them to keep going in adversity. Hal's final 15 months of his life were spent at Rosemont Nursing Home, where his every need was met. He leaves behind his wife, Lynn; brother, Wilton; sons, John and Drew (wife, Penny); step-children, Andrew and Katherine and nine grandchildren. In lieu of flowers please send memorial gifts in his memory to Lilburn First Baptist Church or The American Parkinson's Foundation. His funeral services will be held in the chapel of A. S. Turner and Sons at 2:00 pm Friday June 28 with Rev Ken Hall officiating with interment to follow in Eternal Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033