The following information was contributed by Lynne Belford (Robert Leader's Daughter), Shel Leader (Robert Leader's Son) and Caryn (Leader) (Robert Leader's Daughter).
Bob was born October 10, 1917, in Philadelphia, PA. After graduating
from High School, he found work as a "color matcher" for a dye
manufacturing company. He joined the Army in 1939 after Hitler invaded
Europe. He said that he joined because he knew there was going to be a war.
In 1941 he was admitted as a cadet to pilot officer candidate training,
failed to "solo" in the required time, and decided not to accept a
commission as a navigator. He was assigned to radio operator training
school, and following graduation was assigned to duty in Washington D.C.
The cover of his shaving kit showed that between 1942 and 1945, he was
part of an air crew that conducted diplomatic missions through out most
of South America.
While on leave he met Freda "Pede" Wexler on a date arranged by mutual
friends. They were married in May, 1942 and immediately left for
Washington DC where Bob was stationed at the time. Two of their
children, Shel and Lynne, were born in Washington 13 months apart in
1944 and 1945.
Following the conclusion of the war, Bob accepted an assignment with
SAC, in Alaska, however, Pede did not want to take two small children to
so harsh a climate. Pede went back to Philadelphia to stay with her
parents.
In February 1947, the radio operator on the Kee Bird crew was getting
married and Bob agreed to fill in for him.
Bob left the service in 1947, and joined Paragon Sales Company as a
manufacturer's representative for electronic components. Bob and Pede's
third child, Caryn was born in Philadelphia in 1951. Bob eventually
became the owner of the company, and worked as its President until
shortly before his death in 1995 after a 4 year struggle with Lung
cancer. Pede died in 1999. They are survived by his children, 3 grand
children and 4 great grandchildren.