Harry E. Leimbach, a beloved member of the Long Beach Community, passed away peacefully, surrounded with love on May 19th, 2023 at Long Beach Memorial Hospital at the age of 82. Mr. Leimbach was born in Elyria, Ohio on April 3, 1941 to parents Harvey E. and Mildred L. Leimbach. He was preceded in death by his parents, dear sister Janice Ann, and his half-brother Larry who passed in 2001. He is survived by his half-brother William Lee, his nieces, a nephew and brother-in-law, Jerry.
Harry attended elementary school in Oklahoma then moved back to Ohio and graduated from Lorain High School. When he was in high school, he worked at the local bowling alley setting pins by hand. He was an avid bowler with frequent accolades in the local papers as a youth for his high scoring games. After graduation he was employed with Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant working as a welder and line supervisor for about eight years with a break for military service. He joined the US Army in the medical corps and was stationed in Alaska. After his time in the army, he returned to Ford Motor Company and attended college for mechanical drawing and engineering.
He moved across the country to San Diego in 1969 and continued his college education at Grossmont College while working in a dental lab. He then returned to school full time at San Diego State University. After college he worked as a maintenance engineer at a meat packing plant fixing a variety of machines, fabricating custom items and plumbing. He worked in the plumbing field for a variety of companies until his retirement from ACCO. He moved to Long Beach in the 1980s. He was a lifelong union member and helped to build the Staples Center in Los Angeles, multiple hospitals and his last project was the Hyatt in downtown Los Angeles. He had many hobbies; he ran marathons, completed an Iron Man, loved motorcycles, fast cars, surfing, fishing, cigars, and his pet birds.
The weight of his loss is enormous for all that loved him. He has been a fixture in the Marina Pacifica Fellowship Group for 43 years, guiding so many people in their lives. His Tuesday night men’s group will miss him and is continuing the fellowship that he started. God apparently had other plans for Harry that this true angel on earth was needed in Heaven. Harry was salty - would tell everyone like it was. He was a rock for so many emotionally, spiritually, quietly, loudly, lovingly and was lifesaving. He was a force. Long Beach won’t be the same.
The difference that Harry made in so many people’s lives was incredible. We should all be so blessed. He will be missed by so many. Harry will be interred at Riverside National Cemetery on 7/7/23 at 11:00 am with full military honors (family and close friends invited). On July 8th, 2023, there will be a celebration of life for him starting at 2pm at the Belmont Shore Chalet, 5107 E. Ocean Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90803. Come join us as we share stories and memories. In honor Harry’s love of Hawaii please wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt/dress.
