The Leaches

Harold Leach

Harold was born on June 6, 1941 close to Holton, Kansas. Harold has three older brothers, and one younger brother. They were raised on a farm. They were typical boys—had dogs and horses. After working and helping their dad on the farm, they would go ‘coon hunting and riding their horses. Harold and his family moved to Linwood, Kansas when Harold was in the 4th grade. He graduated from 8th grade at Linwood. Harold worked after school and in the summer, he helped area farmers put up hay, scoop grain and many other jobs to help his family. He played football and basketball in his junior and senior years in high school. He graduated in 1959 and went to work at Lone Star Cement Plant in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

Alberta Leach

Alberta Rose was born on December 30, 1942 in Wheaton, Kansas. After having four boys, her parents were happy to have a girl. Two more boys and three girls followed for a family of ten children. Her dad was a foreman on the Union Pacific Railroad. Her mother was a housewife. Alberta started school in Onaga, Kansas, and graduated from 8th grade there. Her father was transferred to Bennington, Kansas her freshman year in high school. He was transferred to Chapman, Kansas her sophomore year, and was at Dickinson County High School in Chapman, Kansas. Her father was transferred to Linwood, Kansas during Alberta’s junior year in high school, where she met Harold Leach. Alberta graduated from Linwood in 1960. She went to work at Hallmark Cards in Lawrence. On December 16, 1960, Harold and Alberta were married in Bonner Springs, Kansas, and settled in an apartment in Linwood. They soon bought a house in Linwood and wanted to start a family. They waited 10 years before they were blessed with their handsome baby boy on July 25, 1970. They named him Randy Wayne. He was the only child they were able to have.

Harold and Alberta's Timeline

1958

Harold Leach and Alberta Rose started dating in the summer of 1958, and in 1959, Harold graduated from high school from Linwood High School.

1960

Alberta graduated from high school, and was homecoming queen.

1960

They married on December 16, 1960—Lived in a small apartment. Harold worked at Lone Star Cement in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Alberta worked at Hallmark Cards in Lawrence, Kansas

1962

They bought a house in Linwood that needed a lot of TLC. They worked days at their jobs, and nights and weekends on the house.

1966

They bought another house in Linwood, sold the first one, and prepared to remodel again. They wanted more room.

1968

Harold got an opportunity to run a service station in Bonner Springs, so he quit the job at Lone Star.

1969

Harold had a better opportunity to get a much nicer and bigger station in Overland Park. They wanted a family, but so far, had no luck. The doctor told Alberta to quit work and relax. They then moved to Overland Park. They rented their house in Linwood to a young couple they had known.

1970

They found out that Alberta was pregnant.

July 25, 1970

Randy Wayne Leach was born at Lakeside Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri

September 1975

Randy started kindergarten at Linwood Grade School. They lived just one-half block from the school. Randy really thought he was a big boy walking home from school.

1976

Although they loved their home in Linwood and it was convenient for Randy to go to school, but they wanted to get him out into the country. In June they moved to their present home on ten acres so Randy would have lots of space to grow up and have his animals. Randy ended up with a menagerie of animals, Pork Chop, the pig, baby calves, chickens, rabbits, and Poncho, his horse. His Great Uncle Bud from Colorado thought Randy needed a horse.

1976-1984

Randy went through grade school. He didn’t like school that much. He got good grades and didn’t have to study very hard for his grades.

1985

Randy started his freshman year at Linwood High School. He spent his summers helping his Dad in the lawnmower shop and fishing. The family took a trip to Colorado to visit Uncle Bud and Aunt Dutch. They were their tour guides. They took the Leaches to places they would not normally have found. Randy loved the mountains and Colorado.

1986

At Randy’s sophomore year at Linwood High School, he went out for track and basketball.

1987

The senior year in high school, Randy played basketball and track. He was thinking about going to a trade school after graduation. After school, he would help mow lawns. He also helped Alberta clean offices at Lacey Steel on Wednesday evening and weekends. He was very good at whatever he attempted to do.

1988

Randy’s senior year at high school. He played basketball and track. He was thinking about going to a trade school after graduation. In the summer he would mow grass. He and his father went shopping in Lawrence for a new lawn tractor. They had purchased and brought home his new John Deere mower the day he disappeared. He mowed the neighbor’s yard, then came home and mowed his own yard. Randy always wanted a 1966 Mustang. Harold and Alberta’s graduation gift to him was a 1968 Mustang. It was taken to Desoto on Tuesday, April 13, 1988 to be painted. Randy spent a lot of time looking through magazines and books. He wanted his Mustang to be just like it was when it was new. He didn’t get to see his Mustang after it was totally restored. His Dad had it finished and fully restored just like Randy had planned. Randy left his parents’ home on Friday, April 15, 1988 at 6:30, never to be seen again.