Herbert Leafquist

Herbert Leafquist – 93

Retired Engineer

Wakefield, MA: Herbert Leafquist , 93, passed away on December 23, 2008 of natural causes.
Herbert was born in Vinalhaven Island, Maine on April 18, 1915 to Ivar and Cecelia (Hultman) Lovkvist. At age 3, the family returned to the state of Blekinge in southern Sweden where he lived on the family farm until his teenage years. They reemigrated to the United States in the early 1930's.
Mr. Leafquist was schooled in Sweden and the United States, completing various technical and engineering courses. He began his working career in the 1930s as an aerospace industry machinist and tool maker with Lawson Machine and Tool Company (a prime contractor to Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engines). His 28 years with Lawson spanned World War II, the jet era of the 1950s and the space race of the 1960s. During his career at Lawson he rose through the ranks to Chief Engineer.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Mr. Leafquist was with Wakefield Engineering in the early stages of the computer industry where he helped grow the company, which became a division of E.G. & G. (now Perkin Elmer).
Throughout his life he balanced work, family, a love of the outdoors, a flare for painting seascapes and a strong sense of service to the community. He was a Life Deacon and 45 year member of First Parish Congregational Church Wakefield. He was a Troop Committee member of Boy Scout Troop 701 Wakefield, a Life Member of the Appalachian Mountain Club and a Board Member of the Boit Home in Wakefield for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years Alma (Todd) Leafquist of Wakefield, son Eric, daughter-in-law Kathy and granddaughter Erica Kate of Acton, MA. He is the brother of the late Tora Leafquist .
A memorial service will be held at the First Parish Congregational Church of Wakefield on Sunday January 4, 2009 at 2:00pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Children's Hospital Boston, 1 Autumn Street, #731 Boston, MA 02215-5301; Dana Farber Cancer Institute 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor Brookline, MA 02445-7226 Attn: Contribution Services; or the charity of your choice.

Read Herbert Leafquist's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Service

First Parish Congregational
1 Church Street
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Sunday, January 4, 2009, 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM