He passed away peacefully and comfortably in his sleep following an extended period of declining health. A sixth-generation Vermonter, Mr. Leysath was born in Springfield, VT, on August 25, 1920, the son of Winona Burditt and Albert Leysath, and older brother to his sister Esther.
He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry from North Carolina State University and a Master’s Degree in forestry from Duke University.
After taking up residence in Possum Corner, South Carolina, Elwin married Murdale Cameron, a Southern-born and educated woman who later would become one of the most important and influential ministers of the United Church of Christ.
In 1949, their son, Albert, was born, and in 1950 the family moved back to Elwin’s home state of Vermont when he accepted a position as Rutland County forester, settling in Rutland. In 1952, a daughter, Dorothy was born, completing the family.
Elwin’s responsibilities in his career grew, and by 1968, he was in charge of all forest pest control for Southern Vermont. In 1976, he took an early retirement and moved to Michigan where his wife’s ascending career led to a position of associate conference minister. There he began work as a private forestry consultant. In 1981, they moved to Minnesota, where Murdale became the first female conference minister in the history of the UCC. In 1989, Elwin and Murdale moved back to Vermont to enjoy a life of semi-retirement, although both stayed active in their professions.
Elwin was a man of many interests and simple pleasures. He was a past master Mason of the Rutland Center Lodge, avid gardener, world traveler, coin collector, Eagle Scout, choir singer, violin player, voracious reader, fern expert and Cribbage shark.
A true Vermonter, Elwin was a man of few words but could say more with the twinkle in his eye than most people could communicate with paragraphs. He did not know the meaning of pretense or artifice. He found joy in everything he did, and kindness was the gift he offered to everyone who knew him. In his final years, he never complained of his growing limitations, but instead embraced his remaining pleasures even more passionately. He was universally adored by every person who met him, and we were proud to be a part of his family.
Elwin is survived by his son, Albert; daughter, Dorothy; grandchildren Terry, John, and Bertha; and great-granddaughter, June. He will be missed by all.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
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