Welcome to
United States Eventing Association Area VII
Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho and Alaska
Robert Wouters Leyen M.D.
Robert Wouters Leyen, M.D. Dr. Robert Wouters Leyen, aka "Dr. Bob" and "Dr. Avalanche," died Monday, April 14, 2008 in Gig Harbor, Washington. Born September 29, 1951 in Nashville, Tennessee, Robert was the only son of the late Dr. Robert Fitzwater Leyen and Wilma Wouters Leyen. Robert graduated cum laude from Webb School of Knoxville in 1969, where he was All Mid-South Football and Basketball, as well as a key member of the school's champion track team. He earned his B.A. in Psychology in 1973 from Yale University. As defensive tackle, Robert was All Ivy for two consecutive years. Following graduation he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. When he was traded to the Detroit Lions, Robert chose to pursue a medical degree from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, graduating Alpha Omega Alpha in 1977. Robert completed an Internal Medicine Internship at the University of Alabama, Birmingham in 1978. He returned home to East Tennessee to practice Emergency Medicine while he helped care for his mother until 1983. The next seven years were spent at Duke University, where Robert completed a General Surgery Residency, an Orthopedic Surgery Residency and a Sports Medicine Fellowship. He has practiced as an Orthopedic Surgeon in Tacoma and Olympia, Washington for the past 18 years with unwavering diligence, care and dedication toward providing optimal care. Robert's first love was his family. Robert and Jennifer Albright were married March 19, 1988 in Maryville, Tennessee. Their love spanned 32 years from Tennessee to Washington State and numerous points in between. Robert and Jennifer's daughter, Elizabeth, will be graduating in June with academic honors from Tacoma School of the Arts. Jennifer and Elizabeth will always treasure the close times and many family adventures they had together. Robert was renowned for his unfailing humor, his love of the outdoors, and his caring spirit. He was a Mountain of a Man, our Gentle Giant, and a gift from God. He taught us to challenge ourselves and be sensitive to the needs of others. Robert was always willing to donate his time and talents to come to the aid of his family, friends, or anyone who had a need. He assisted teaching Musculoskeletal Anatomy at the University of Washington Medical School. During this past year he particularly enjoyed working with America's veterans and soldiers at Madigan Army Medical Center, where he volunteered his time through the Red Cross. Robert was a sportsman, an athlete, and a gentleman. Following his football career, he played rugby for Old No. 7 RFC in Memphis and the Vulcans RFC in Birmingham. For 30 years he has been team physician and player with the Harvard Old Boys Business School Rugby Football Club. He actively competed in 3-Day Equestrian Eventing in Area VII and mentored many young riders. He was an avid duck hunter, belonging to the Washington Waterfowl Association, Wildcat Hollow Duck Club, Ducks Unlimited, and the Gig Harbor Sportsman Club. Robert enjoyed skiing throughout the world, many times with the Alpha Dog Ski Team. He was a National Outdoor Leadership School and Outward Bound graduate. Much of his free time was spent riding his exceptional horse "Large Marge" and training his very smart Labrador retriever "B". The sight of Robert and "Large Marge" brought smiles to all who saw them. The Leyens have been an active part of the Gig Harbor United Methodist Church family for nearly 18 years. Robert's Bible readings and singing will be beautifully remembered. Robert has been a serious student of Bible Study Fellowship for the past ten years and assisted with teaching the children. He was on the Board of Directors for Reach Ministries. Robert's awe of God's creation was integral to his life as an outdoorsman. Robert will be dearly missed by his beloved wife Jennifer, his loving daughter Elizabeth, the Albright family, his cousins, Drs. Erich and Ben Wouters, and by countless close friends, colleagues, and patients from sea to shining sea and beyond. We are thankful for his life, love, kindness, generosity of spirit, and fine Christian example. A celebration of Robert's life will be held at the Gig Harbor United Methodist Church, 7400 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, WA 98335, at 2pm on Saturday, May 17, 2008. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert W. Leyen Memorial Fund at any Columbia State Bank. Arrangements are by Haven of Rest Funeral Home, Gig Harbor, WA, 253-851-9991. Please sign the online guest book at www.legacy.com/tribnet
Robert Wouters Leyen, M.D. Dr. Robert Wouters Leyen, aka "Dr. Bob" and "Dr. Avalanche," died Monday, April 14, 2008 in Gig Harbor, Washington. Born September 29, 1951 in Nashville, Tennessee, Robert was the only son of the late Dr. Robert Fitzwater Leyen and Wilma Wouters Leyen. Robert graduated cum laude from Webb School of Knoxville in 1969, where he was All Mid-South Football and Basketball, as well as a key member of the school's champion track team. He earned his B.A. in Psychology in 1973 from Yale University. As defensive tackle, Robert was All Ivy for two consecutive years. Following graduation he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. When he was traded to the Detroit Lions, Robert chose to pursue a medical degree from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, graduating Alpha Omega Alpha in 1977. Robert completed an Internal Medicine Internship at the University of Alabama, Birmingham in 1978. He returned home to East Tennessee to practice Emergency Medicine while he helped care for his mother until 1983. The next seven years were spent at Duke University, where Robert completed a General Surgery Residency, an Orthopedic Surgery Residency and a Sports Medicine Fellowship. He has practiced as an Orthopedic Surgeon in Tacoma and Olympia, Washington for the past 18 years with unwavering diligence, care and dedication toward providing optimal care. Robert's first love was his family. Robert and Jennifer Albright were married March 19, 1988 in Maryville, Tennessee. Their love spanned 32 years from Tennessee to Washington State and numerous points in between. Robert and Jennifer's daughter, Elizabeth, will be graduating in June with academic honors from Tacoma School of the Arts. Jennifer and Elizabeth will always treasure the close times and many family adventures they had together. Robert was renowned for his unfailing humor, his love of the outdoors, and his caring spirit. He was a Mountain of a Man, our Gentle Giant, and a gift from God. He taught us to challenge ourselves and be sensitive to the needs of others. Robert was always willing to donate his time and talents to come to the aid of his family, friends, or anyone who had a need. He assisted teaching Musculoskeletal Anatomy at the University of Washington Medical School. During this past year he particularly enjoyed working with America's veterans and soldiers at Madigan Army Medical Center, where he volunteered his time through the Red Cross. Robert was a sportsman, an athlete, and a gentleman. Following his football career, he played rugby for Old No. 7 RFC in Memphis and the Vulcans RFC in Birmingham. For 30 years he has been team physician and player with the Harvard Old Boys Business School Rugby Football Club. He actively competed in 3-Day Equestrian Eventing in Area VII and mentored many young riders. He was an avid duck hunter, belonging to the Washington Waterfowl Association, Wildcat Hollow Duck Club, Ducks Unlimited, and the Gig Harbor Sportsman Club. Robert enjoyed skiing throughout the world, many times with the Alpha Dog Ski Team. He was a National Outdoor Leadership School and Outward Bound graduate. Much of his free time was spent riding his exceptional horse "Large Marge" and training his very smart Labrador retriever "B". The sight of Robert and "Large Marge" brought smiles to all who saw them. The Leyens have been an active part of the Gig Harbor United Methodist Church family for nearly 18 years. Robert's Bible readings and singing will be beautifully remembered. Robert has been a serious student of Bible Study Fellowship for the past ten years and assisted with teaching the children. He was on the Board of Directors for Reach Ministries. Robert's awe of God's creation was integral to his life as an outdoorsman. Robert will be dearly missed by his beloved wife Jennifer, his loving daughter Elizabeth, the Albright family, his cousins, Drs. Erich and Ben Wouters, and by countless close friends, colleagues, and patients from sea to shining sea and beyond. We are thankful for his life, love, kindness, generosity of spirit, and fine Christian example. 