Leonard Webb McDonald, credited with improving retirement benefits for Utah's public employees and long-time executive secretary of the Utah State University Alumni Association, died March 10 in Bountiful. He was 85.
Mr. McDonald, born in Hinckley, Millard County, Jan. 26, 1914, was valedictorian of his 1939 class at Wasatch High School in Heber City. He went on to graduate with honors from the Utah State Agricultural College (now USU) in 1939. He worked on a farm, in a mine and on a highway construction crew before attending college.Mr. McDonald married Arolo Bott of Brigham City in the Logan Temple in 1939. The couple had three children.
In 1959, Mr. McDonald was instrumental in organizing the Utah Public Employees' Association. Serving as its first president, Mr. McDonald helped the organization improve insurance benefits, and he encouraged legislators to make retirement programs better for public employees. Mr. McDonald wrote more than 50 bills approved by the Utah Legislature.
Phi Delta Kappa named Mr. McDonald Utah Educator of the Year in 1973. He also wrote for and edited many publications, including the Utah Farmer and the College News Bulletin. He was the Democratic Party's candidate for state treasurer in 1980.
Mr. McDonald leaves behind his wife and three children: Dr. James B. McDonald, Mary Ann Ebbler and Dr. David Giles McDonald.
The funeral is scheduled at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, at the Bountiful 2nd LDS Ward, 650 S. 200 East.