Leon Alpaugh Lt. Col. Usaf, Ret.

10/21/1914 – 10/17/2012
The son of Nelson and Florence Alpaugh, Leon was born in Graceville, Montana.
Leon grew up in Portland, OR. He came to Bellingham in 1934
to play football and baseball at Bellingham Normal School (now
WWU). Leon, or Leo, as he was also known to his family, was a gentle,
quiet, hard-working and devoted family man. He was a role model to us all.
Leon met his wife of 72 years, Bette Hughes, while at school getting his teaching degree
and they were married in 1939. A lifelong educator, Leon served the USAF during WWII as an officer training instructor for bomber pilots and navigators. After the war, he returned Bellingham and
taught for 40 years. He taught and coached at Whatcom, Fairhaven, Bellingham High and
Sehome High. He also served as a reserve USAF officer of the local reserves for over 20 years.
Leo greatly enjoyed coaching baseball, and led the American Legion Post#7 to Nationals in 1947.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Elks Club. He built his home on South Hill and his vacation home on Lopez Island all by himself, a man of many talents.
He was preceded in life by his loving wife Bette Alpaugh and niece Julie Aydelotte.
Leo is survived by his brother-in-law Bob Hughes (Donnie), sister-in-law Alene Tomich, nieces and nephews Susan Lindahl (Keith), Jennifer Lindahl, Stephanie Lindahl (Justin),
Clark Lindahl, Jeff Hayward-Hughes (Cathy), Monty Hughes (Cindy), Steve Hughes (Leslie),
Jim Michaelsen, John Michaelsen (Sandy), Rob Michaelsen (Karol) and many great nieces and
nephews. A Burial Eucharist will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 3rd at 1pm, followed by a reception in the Great Hall. Military Honors will be presented after the service. The Rev. Jonathan Weldon will be officiating.