Obituary for Leo Christopher Byron
Leo C. Byron Obituary
Leo Christopher Byron, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on March 14, 2022, in the presence of his loving wife, following a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born July 24, 1936, in Easton, PA, the only child of Leo J. and Odele (Koenig) Byron. Growing up in York, PA, Leo developed a passion for planes, pre-WWII model trains and Marvel comic books that would develop into a lifelong enthusiasm as a collector, and years spent as a private pilot (including learning to fly a WWII-era plane). He was a graduate of York High School, Class of 1954, Dickinson College, 1958 and received his Masters degree in Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University.
A career civil servant with the Commonwealth of PA, Leo first joined the Department of Agriculture and then spent the bulk of his career with the Department of Public Welfare in the Office the Secretary, where he directly served the longtime Deputy Secretary. He also served in the PA National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge in December 1964.
During college, he developed two additional lifelong interests: a love of Broadway theater cultivated over frequent weekend trips to NYC - something he later shared with his family; and his membership in Sigma Chi fraternity, to which he remained a Life Loyal Sig. Those close to him appreciated his artistic talent, his quick, often sarcastic wit and humor, his affinity for cars, including several sports cars he owned throughout his life, enjoyment of fine cigars (Cuban when he could get them), and his love of fine pastry, desserts and other sweets, which he always attributed to his Austrian heritage.
One of his most enjoyed activities was to travel with his family, both domestically and internationally. This travel led to a defining event in his life in June 1985 when he and his family were hijacked aboard TWA Flight 847, resulting in his subsequent captivity as a hostage for nearly two weeks in Beirut, Lebanon. Following his release, Leo shared his experience with community groups, became a published author of a book detailing the events of the incident, and testified with his family before Congress in support of anti-terrorism legislation.
Leo is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carolyn (Kuhn) Byron, of Harrisburg, daughter Pamela and husband, Thomas Fukuda, and grandchildren Alexander and Sophia of Arlington, VA.
The family wishes to thank the extraordinarily skilled and compassionate caregivers who attended to Leo, in particular Shea, Carol, Beckie and Rebecca, and the many neighbors and friends who at times provided invaluable support during his long final journey.
A visitation will be held April 1 from 10-11am at Matinchek Funeral Home, 260 E. Main St., Middletown, PA, followed by a private graveside service and burial at the Middletown (PA) Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Leo’s name can be made to the Byron Family Scholarship at Dickinson College.
Condolences may be sent online at matinchekfuneralhome.com.
Leo Christopher Byron, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on March 14, 2022, in the presence of his loving wife, following a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born July 24, 1936, in Easton, PA, the only child of Leo J. and Odele (Koenig) Byron. Growing up in York, PA, Leo developed a passion for planes, pre-WWII model trains and Marvel comic books that would develop into a lifelong enthusiasm as a collector, and years spent as a private pilot (including learning to fly a WWII-era plane). He was a graduate of York High School, Class of 1954, Dickinson College, 1958 and received his Masters degree in Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University.
A career civil servant with the Commonwealth of PA, Leo first joined the Department of Agriculture and then spent the bulk of his career with the Department of Public Welfare in the Office the Secretary, where he directly served the longtime Deputy Secretary. He also served in the PA National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge in December 1964.
During college, he developed two additional lifelong interests: a love of Broadway theater cultivated over frequent weekend trips to NYC - something he later shared with his family; and his membership in Sigma Chi fraternity, to which he remained a Life Loyal Sig. Those close to him appreciated his artistic talent, his quick, often sarcastic wit and humor, his affinity for cars, including several sports cars he owned throughout his life, enjoyment of fine cigars (Cuban when he could get them), and his love of fine pastry, desserts and other sweets, which he always attributed to his Austrian heritage.
One of his most enjoyed activities was to travel with his family, both domestically and internationally. This travel led to a defining event in his life in June 1985 when he and his family were hijacked aboard TWA Flight 847, resulting in his subsequent captivity as a hostage for nearly two weeks in Beirut, Lebanon. Following his release, Leo shared his experience with community groups, became a published author of a book detailing the events of the incident, and testified with his family before Congress in support of anti-terrorism legislation.
Leo is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carolyn (Kuhn) Byron, of Harrisburg, daughter Pamela and husband, Thomas Fukuda, and grandchildren Alexander and Sophia of Arlington, VA.
The family wishes to thank the extraordinarily skilled and compassionate caregivers who attended to Leo, in particular Shea, Carol, Beckie and Rebecca, and the many neighbors and friends who at times provided invaluable support during his long final journey.
A visitation will be held April 1 from 10-11am at Matinchek Funeral Home, 260 E. Main St., Middletown, PA, followed by a private graveside service and burial at the Middletown (PA) Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Leo’s name can be made to the Byron Family Scholarship at Dickinson College.
Condolences may be sent online at matinchekfuneralhome.com.