Charles Michael Leo Leonard, Ph.D. - theoretical physicist, freethinker, social activist, space colonization advocate, and generous friend, passed away on May 2nd, 2020 in New Bedford, MA.  He read widely and thought deeply.  He was a multi-disciplinary philosopher who delighted in offering his friends the extraordinary gift of participation in spellbinding discussions around the kitchen table, weaving together the most consequential ideas of the last century, from Marx, Freud, Darwin, Einstein, and beyond, deep into the night and through to the dawn.

His mother, Raffaella Giovanna (Scioscia) Leonard, wife to Charles Michael Leonard, was the eldest of the twelve-sibling “Scioscia Clan” of Scranton, PA.  On July 19, 1941, Charlie was delivered - and was, forever thereafter, noted as the first child of his generation.  There are many stories of 5 aunts lavishing him with attention and encouragement in his early years.  While he grew up in Bridgeport, CT and graduated from Andrew Warde High School in 1959, he lived most of his life in and around the Boston Area.  He received a BS in Physics from the University of Rochester in 1963, and his Ph.D. in Physics from Boston University in 1986, where he received an award for Teaching Fellow of the Year.

He devoted his working life to independent research in physics, supporting himself with a variety of jobs, everything from teaching at Wentworth Institute of Technology and Boston University, to tutoring and consulting in various STEM fields, to postal worker, security guard, and social worker.

Charlie had a special interest in the science of space exploration and founded an early computer-BBS-based virtual organization called Spacers Corps to encourage young people in securing the future of the human species by getting us "OUTWARD!" as soon as possible.  As his brother, Tom, describes, “Charlie long anticipated Environmentalism but with a twist. One of his passions was getting out into space and he was disappointed in the pace of progress after the fine start of the Moon landings. His philosophy for the planet he summed up in the phrase ‘Earth Park, Space Factory’. To my brother, this meant that the polluting activities of man should be moved beyond the atmosphere where they could not degrade the environment. In this way, the earth could become a green utopia.”

His sister, Moonyeen Klopfenstein, recounts a cross country bus trip to San Francisco in the early 60's to attend the W.E.B. DuBois conference, belonging to the Student League for Human Rights, and marching on Washington for civil rights with signs made by their father, an artist and labor organizer. 

In 1964, Charlie married Mimi Sophia Watanabe. (The couple had three daughters, Kecia, Jacquelyn, and Jessamyn, before divorcing in 1972.)  Mimi’s accounts affirm and underscore Moonyeen's memories of his commitment to radical activism, pointing out that “there is a through-line of conviction from father to son.”  Demonstrating for civil rights in New York, Charlie apparently got caught up in the Harlem "race riots" in '64.  Mimi recalls multiple trips to Washington for anti-war demonstrations - they got tear-gassed in front of the Justice Department!

Charlie Leonard is survived by his sister Moonyeen Klopfenstein and brother Thomas Leonard; daughters Kecia Leonard, Jacquelyn Leonard, Jessamyn Finneran; grandchildren Samantha Rae, Christopher Finneran, Paul Finneran, Gwendelyn Robinson, and Anthony Robinson. His passing is also mourned by his loving companion Ruth Knight-Camm; lifelong friends Barry Bruce and Craig T. Spratt; and numerous family and friends in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and California.

There is more, of course.  Words cannot convey what it is to be actively in someone’s company, especially his, but Ruth put it this way:  “His enthusiasm is one reason that he made such a fascinating companion.  He was so warm and friendly, even to strangers, that people flocked to him.  He loved life - theoretical physics, political arguments, abstruse philosophies, biology - and being with friends, walks in the sun, under the stars.  I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as much as I did when I was with him.”

Charlie was clearly content being alone with his thoughts. He felt uninterrupted quiet hours for deep thinking were an exquisite luxury.  Yet, close friends and family consistently speak of his ever-present accessibility and warmth, his unfailing generosity and intellectual fair-mindedness.  No one would deny he had flaws, but the most frequent first adjectives people use to describe him are brilliant, fair-minded, principled, and rare.          

In 2020, the reality is that many of us are sheltering-in-place to outlast and hopefully eradicate Covid-19.  Charlie’s daughters are looking into a virtual/videoconference memorial to be announced in coming months.  For now, all we can offer for those mourning with us is this memorial page.  We hope you’ll treat it like Charlie’s kitchen table, pull up a chair, listen or join the conversation.  We’re looking forward to seeing any remembrances, pictures, videos, equations, doodles, or silly songs (He did so love to make up silly songs!) that you care to share with us.  


Please note:  The official obituary notice will be printed in The Boston Globe on Sunday, May, 10, 2020.  The Globe also provides a Legacy.com memorial page for remembrances:  https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=charles-michael-leo-leonard&pid=196155694