Leo Harold Spinar, 94, passed away on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10,  at First United Methodist Church in Brookings, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at First United Methodist Church in Brookings.
Leo Harold Spinar was born on a farm near Colome, (Tripp County) South Dakota on Feb. 20, 1929, to Jerry and Emma (Hlousek) Spinar. He was the eldest of four children.
From a young age, Leo was known to have a sharp mind, and was a person of responsibility and high integrity.  Leo attended elementary — high school in Colome, graduating as class valedictorian in 1948.
He attended USD in Vermillion, SD, obtaining an undergraduate degree in Chemistry. He then went to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to earn his master’s and doctorate in physical chemistry.  Leo’s education in Madison was interrupted by an 18-month period of service in the Army Chemical Corps during the Korean War.
After returning to the University of Wisconsin he met Elaine Gullickson during a roller-skating party.  They married in 1956.
After receiving his PhD, Leo began his career teaching college chemistry. He and Elaine moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, (CSU) then to Columbia, Missouri (MU) and finally ending up in Brookings, South Dakota (SDSU) - proving that people born west river stay in South Dakota.
Leo and Elaine lived in Brookings for 46 years. Leo worked at SDSU as a professor of chemistry, then as director of planning, program and budget.  He finished his tenure at SDSU in the Chemistry department and also served as Radiation Safety Officer.  He retired in 1999.
In the early ’70s Leo and Elaine came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As a couple they would often go on Lay Witness Missions. Leo taught adult Sunday school at the United Methodist Church they attended in Brookings. Leo was active in Methodist Men, was the church treasurer for many years, and completed the course to become a Lay Preacher in the Methodist Church. He was also active in the Brookings Kiwanis Club.
Leo and Elaine moved to Sioux Falls in 2012 to be closer to their doctors.  Elaine passed away in 2013.  Leo remained in Sioux Falls moving from independent living to assisted living then to enhanced assisted living all the while maintaining a sharp mind, and being a man of responsibility and high integrity.  
Leo suffered a series of strokes beginning just before Thanksgiving, 2023.  He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Jan. 5, 2024.
Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, his parents, and 2 sisters, Irene (Vernon) Fischer, and Anita Calhoun.
Leo is survived by: four children, Anne (Terence) Drew, Sandra (Robert) Gipe, Karen Spinar, and Mark (Nancy) Spinar. nine grandchildren, Tamera (Rich) Adkins, Jonathan (Nichole Comba) Drew, Kelsey Gipe, Eric Gipe, Jacqueline (Derek) Smith, James Spinar, Katherine Spinar, David Spinar, and Emily Spinar. 4 great grandchildren, Noah Adkins, Emerson Drew, Ira Drew, and Clara Adkins. One brother, Melvin Spinar, one sister-in-law, Millie Gullickson, and many nieces and nephews.
Leo will be missed by all who knew him.
Memorials may be directed to the SDSU Foundation, Leo and Elaine Spinar Award for Teaching Excellence in Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.