Dorothy Leslie

Dorothy Margaret Kuehn Leslie, 93, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 at her home.

Dottie was born on Oct. 7, 1914 in Brownstown, Ind. She grew up there, graduating from Brownstown High School in 1932. She attended Purdue University, graduating with highest honors in 1937. While working for IBM, she met Robert Edison Leslie and they were married on Nov. 26, 1938. She and the now, Dr. Bob Leslie traveled to Texas in 1948 and made El Campo their home. Dottie soon became very active in the community while raising three young sons and working alongside her husband, managing his medical clinic. She was elected Vice President of the Women's Auxiliary to the Texas Medical Assn. in 1961. She served on many committees within this organization and as President of the Wharton-Jackson-Matagorda- Fort Bend Counties Auxiliary.

Dottie was very active in her church, serving on several boards, and became one of the founding members of Christ Lutheran Church. After her husband died in 1973 she pursued a longstanding love of birdwatching. Dottie spent the next 25 years traveling the world as an ornithologist, visiting all the continents enjoying nature and the many diverse cultures around the world.

Among her many accomplishments that highlighted her life were: Riding on the Orient Express; spotting a snow owl in Minnesota in -30 degree weather; spotting a Bird of Paradise in New Zealand; climbing to the top of Machu Picchu; visiting the deep interior of China, forbidden to most tourists; traversing the desert of northern Africa by camel; birding in Kenya; birding deep in the Amazon Rain Forest; camping out across the Outback of Australia; and traveling through the Mongolian Desert.

Her travels took her to 48 countries and she shared her adventures with many local community organizations by way of her exhilarating slide shows.

Mrs. Leslie was preceded in death by her father, William Kuehn; and her mother, Edna Droege Kuehn; and her brother, Ramon Kuehn; as well as her husband, Robert E. Leslie M.D.

Survivors include her sister, Betty Schlenker; her son, Andy and grandsons Tyler and Andrew; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Marilys; grandson, Robert; and great-granddaughters, Ellie and Mary; grandson, John; granddaughters Audrey, Aline and Dorothy Ann; son and daughterin law, Jim and Essie; grandson, Spencer and his wife Kendra; granddaughter Beth and her husband Trey Yockey; and greatgrandson Jake; grandson, Luke; and granddaughter Julie.

Funeral service was held Monday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church with Pastor Pete Lopez officiating. Entombment followed at Garden of Memories Cemetery under the direction of Triska Funeral Home.

Her grandchildren served as pallbearers.

Memorials can be made to the Christ Lutheran Church or Hospice Support, Inc.