Leonard Chmelicek, 89 of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at Linn Manor Care Center in Marion from complications of Alzheimers. As per Leonard's wishes, there will be no services. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is handling arrangements. Leonard was born July 26, 1923 at home in Cedar Rapids and delivered by his parents Emil and Anna (Cerveny) Chmelicek. He attended McKinley High School until a teacher told him he might as well quit. He grew up during the Depression and related many interesting and humorous stories about the time. At age 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, was accepted although he never learned to swim, a prerequisite. Leonard worked on several ships as a Pharmacist's Mate 1C, but spent most of his time on the USS Appling which immediately headed to Pearl Harbor following the bombing. He reenlisted in the USNR in 1947 and was discharged in 1951. He met his wife Lucille Tomkins while working at the Civilian Conservation Corps in Monticello when one of her brothers, who also worked there, introduced them. They married April 5, 1946 in Iowa City. Leonard often worked 2 jobs and kept a huge garden to support his family. He was a quiet and patient gentle soul who loved his family above all else. After holding a variety of jobs through the years he retired from Universal Engineering. Leonard is survived by his children, Lynn (Steve) Pudil of Swisher, Len Chmelicek of Ely, and Mike Chmelicek of Marion; 5 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren; a brother and sister in law Stanley and Freda Rabik and a sister in law Madeline Trpkosh all of Cedar Rapids. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lucille; daughther, Patricia Harper Nicholson; a sister Alma Clymer; and brothers, George Trpkosh and Richard Chmelicek. The family would like to thank nurses and staff at MeadowView and Linn Manor, Doctors Mark Goedken, Holli Kautzman and Marc Wilkinson for the excellent care and compassion given to him during his final years.