The Enduring Spirit of Montana: Remembering Gene Leitch, A Life Well-Lived

In the quiet of a Montana evening, on March 18, 2024, the long and storied journey of Eugene "Gene" S. Leitch came to its peaceful close in Helena. He was 91, and really, what a life it was, stretching over nine decades—a testament, you might say, to the grit and grace of the American West, deeply woven into the fabric of the Big Sky Country he so cherished.

Born on a bright spring day, April 13, 1932, in Deer Lodge, Gene arrived as the beloved son of Sam and Helen Leitch. He spent his formative years amidst the wide-open spaces of a ranch just outside Deer Lodge, learning the rhythms of the land, probably a lot about hard work too. He walked the halls of Deer Lodge High, graduating with the class of 1950, undoubtedly carrying a spirit of adventure and a strong sense of community that would define him for years to come.

And then, duty called. Like so many of his generation, Gene answered, serving his nation with honor in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He came home, as so many did, a little changed but steadfast, ready to build a life. And build he did.

A pivotal moment, certainly, was November 27, 1954, when he married the love of his life, Eleanor A. (Tuma) Leitch, right there in Deer Lodge. Together, they forged a bond that would span nearly seven decades—69 years, if you’re counting, a remarkable partnership that weathered life’s storms and celebrated its many joys. Their love story blossomed into a beautiful family, gifting them with three children: Steve (with his wife Judy), Nancy (with her husband Tim), and Doug (with his wife Sherri). The family tree grew, beautifully, to include six grandchildren and, even more wonderfully, ten great-grandchildren. One can only imagine the laughter, the wisdom shared, the legacy carried forward.

Gene’s working life, frankly, was as varied and robust as his interests. He spent two decades traversing the rails, first with the Northern Pacific Railroad and then Burlington Northern, working as a conductor and brakeman. Think of all the sights he must have seen, the stories the tracks could tell. Not content to stay put, he then steered Leitch Trucking for a dozen years, a true entrepreneur. And, finally, he dedicated another 12 years to public service, with the Montana Department of Transportation, before finally hanging up his hat and retiring in 1994.

But work was just one facet of Gene’s rich existence. He was, to put it mildly, an outdoorsman. Hunting, fishing, prospecting for gold—you could say, perhaps, that the Montana landscape wasn’t just where Gene lived; it was part of his very being. He loved exploring every nook and cranny of his home state, undoubtedly finding peace and excitement in equal measure. Beyond the wilderness, he was a devoted fan of sports, passionately following the Grizzlies, the Bobcats, and, yes, even the New York Yankees. A man of simple pleasures, he found immense joy in good company, especially during coffee with friends, and the quiet satisfaction of gardening. Above all, though, his greatest joy was time spent with his family, particularly his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, for whom he surely served as a beacon of warmth and wisdom.

Gene was also a man deeply connected to his community, a member of the Helena Shrine Club, the Masons, and the Elks—organizations that speak to his character and commitment to service. He was preceded in death by his dear parents and his brother Don. Yet, his memory lives on vibrantly through his beloved wife Eleanor, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his sister Carol Kroll (and her husband Dan).

Though we say goodbye, the echoes of Gene’s life—his dedication, his love for family, his adventurous spirit—will surely resonate for years to come. A graveside service, a moment for reflection and remembrance, will be held at a later date at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery. And for now, we remember a life lived full, a true Montana story.