Leonard F. Ermold, Jr., a long-time resident of Amelia Island, died Thursday March 11, 2021, at the age of 81. Len was born December 5, 1939 to Leonard F. Ermold, Sr. and Ida Nevin Ermold in Philadelphia, PA, his hometown from boyhood through his college years. He graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia in 1957 and studied mechanical engineering at Drexel Institute of Technology. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Drexel (1962), Len was accepted into Virginia Polytechnical Institute’s Engineering Mechanics graduate program (Blacksburg, VA). In just three years he was awarded both a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree - an extraordinary accomplishment. After graduation Len entered active duty in the United States Army, serving as a professor at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. He completed his active-duty service June 1968, having achieved the rank of captain and being awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. At this time Len began a highly successful twenty-eight-year career at Westinghouse Electric Company in Pittsburgh, PA. His career at Westinghouse was marked by continual promotion and advancement through various positions associated with the company’s nuclear engineering programs. While much of his time with Westinghouse was spent in Pittsburgh, the remaining nine years of his tenure took him to the Pacific Northwest to manage the company’s nuclear energy activities at U.S. Department of Energy sites in Idaho and Washington state. He retired as a Vice President of Westinghouse in 1996. Dr. Ermold completed his professional career at the Battelle Memorial Institute, where he managed important national security programs in Columbus, OH and at the Pacific Northwest National Lab in Richland, WA. He retired from Battelle in 2003.
Len’s partner for much of his professional career and retirement was his wife of forty-one years, Patricia J. (Pittard) Ermold. He is survived by Pat, his three children – Leonard F. Ermold III, Robert C. Ermold, and Lynne E. Huston (Steve) of his first marriage to Ruth E. (Hawkins) Smith – and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, his brother Ronald Ermold (Joanne), and an extended family of Pat’s five children and their families. His brother Donald Ermold (Carole) is pre-deceased.
Dr. Ermold dedicated his life to his family, his country, and the Christian church. He was a devoted student of the Bible, a good Lutheran/Presbyterian who held numerous leadership positions in churches throughout the country, and a committed Christian servant to the community. His wife, children, extended family and friends will remember Len as a hard worker with a gentle touch; a person whose ambition allowed him to achieve the higher things in life – decency, truthfulness, honor, and steadfastness; and, caring and committed child of God.
There will be a memorial service planned for a later date.