Leonard 'The Colonel' Zalewski

Leonard "The Colonel" Zalewski passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2008, after a long battle with cancer. For 36 years, he was the adoring husband of JoAn Baldwin Zalewski. He is survived by his daughter, Lynne Britz; and his two sons, Gary Zalewski and Alan Zalewski. Leonard's grandchildren are Rabia Zalewski, Heather Zalewski Young, Justin Zalewski and Peter Zalewski.

Leonard grew up in Detroit as the only child of Polish immigrants, Sophie and Theodore Zalewski. He discovered a lifelong passion for mechanical engineering at Cass Technological High School. After serving with the Marines in the Korean War, Leonard used his GI Bill to earn a degree in political science from Wayne State University. It was at Wayne State where he met and married Aryel Depki. Together they had three children.

Leonard began pilot training for the U.S. Air Force, eventually logging a tour in Vietnam as a KC-135 pilot. While stationed in Thailand, he met JoAn Baldwin, an accomplished chanteuse and actress. During the colonel's illustrious 28-year U.S. Air Force career, he was privileged to serve as the air attach/ to the U.S. Embassy in Poland under President Gerald Ford.

In 1980, Leonard retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Air Force and enrolled at Ohio State University to complete a Master of Arts degree. Leonard embarked on a new career with Litton Industries in logistics and purchasing.

The colonel will be remembered as a supportive husband to JoAn, an avid skier, a mechanic, and an adventure seeker. He and JoAn loved the Big Sky Country of Montana and shared many wonderful outdoor adventures with friends and family at their cabin on Flathead Lake.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Leonard's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or sign Leonard's guest book.